Using the n900 in 2012
 

Hello all!

After dropping my iphone 4 yesterday and having my screen shatter to many little pieces I decided to dust off the old n900 and relive some nostalgia and see if I can get the phone 'updated' to 2012 standards!

A few points (i hope they haven't been already covered, tried to search but found many out of date posts)

• Latest Firmware - how do I know if I am on pr1.3.1?Are there any unofficial software updates?
• Touch Screen Sensitivity - Comapred to the iphone 4 - the touch sensitivty feels so much less, is that hardware related or soft?
• Over all smoothness of the UI - swiping some times 'lags' a little. Doesn't feel 100% smooth - I use TransitionCtrl which has helped massivly in terms of smoothness but is there more?
• Over all speed - I have over-clocked but still don't feel as though its fast - webpages don't load as quick as I would like, scrolling through my email feels laggy. Remember I am compared this to a JB iphone 4

I still to this day feel the n900 along with maemo 5 was the best phone/OS that never was. If Nokia invested correctly in Maemo and continued to fine tune - it would be the leading OS! There are many apps that I am now used to for every day life that simply don't exist on the n900 :(

Thanks for any help - really want to try and get phone as smooth and reliable as possible :D

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

I'm sorry, a little bit off-topic but... what are some of the apps that you are used to using for every day life?

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

No problem to share

• Google Maps (using n900 web browser isn't good enough :( still to clunky on phone)
• Simplenote (can be used through web browser but still clunky on phone)
• Engin Mobile Voice Software (used for work)
• YouVersion Bible
• TomTom Australia
• Shazam
• WhatsApp (i use Groupchat exclusively)
• DropBox
• Dictionary.com app (no interet needed)
• Instagram (overall camera sucks though :()
• ANZ Mobile Banking App
• Youtube in HQ!!! Youtube videos on n900 for me always seem to be scaled down in terms of quality :(

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Let me go down these one by one:

Firmware: pr 1.3 is latest; 1.3.1 just removed one of the compromised registrar certs. Once you load the Community SSU, though, it's like going pr 1.4! :) Note that there will never be any more "official" updates as Nokia (the company) has jumped in bed with The Empire (aka M$) and told most free software developers where they could go. (Look up "Elop")

Touch Screen: it's resistive so needs pressure to work; OTOH, anything can be used for a stylus including your fingernail. Iphone and most others use capacitive, which also supports multi-touch, but needs a conductive "stylus".

Smoothness and Speed: you can't get around the slow hardware. The N900's hardware was already getting a bit dated by the time it was finally released. Max stock clock is only 600 MHz and it has only one core. RAM is only 256 MB so lots of swapping to slow FLASH occurs to slow things down even more. Some guys have gotten their N900's to overclock to as high as 1,150 MHz, but this is rare; I can't seem to get mine to even hit 800 MHz while remaining stable, but then again I'm no expert.

Because of the way Nokia screwed everyone (the FOSS community, the Symbian community, even people who just liked Nokia the company itself), I have a hard time looking at it as, like you, it reminds me of what Nokia could have had (and sort of did with the N9(50), though I haven't seen one in person). Also, hardware has REALLY advanced in that time. As a result, I have my eye on a Galaxy Note II, which seems to have hardware specs rivalling a low-end wintel laptop, plus a cell radio to boot.

As for your later message about your apps, I don't use any of them so can't comment except on your last point: the N900 only has an 800x480 screen, so it can't do HD, anyway. However, the only way I can seem to watch non-stuttery video is to use CuteTube, Ytube, etc--that is, staying away from the built-in adobe flash.

Hope this helps.

Mike

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

In addition to CSSU, which is fantastic by itself, I recommend also installing CSSU-thumb. The difference is nothing short of staggering in the responsiveness of the UI due to a much smaller memory footprint, and without overclocking! As a nice side bonus, battery life is very noticeably improved too. It's the biggest single upgrade I've ever performed on my N900.
If you still feel the need to overclock, it supports that too... don't forget to enable SmartReflex too (they worked out the bugs a while ago).

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

• ModRana for me, but there is GeePS: native front-end for google maps
• Simplenote - SnXM
• Engin Mobile Voice Software - don't know
• YouVersion Bible - look up Bible App for Maemo 5 Device(s)
• TomTom Australia - look up Navigation Tools
• Shazam - Eyrie
• WhatsApp (i use Groupchat exclusively) - Yappari
• DropBox - DropN900
• Dictionary.com app (no interet needed) - QStarDict
• Instagram - there is Instago for N9
• ANZ Mobile Banking App - ask ANZ

Best wishes.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Are You joking, right? At the end of 2012, there is still no device, that could ever get close to N900 in term of usability (with all Community enhancements), and there is only little chance, than anything about it will change in 2013 (Jolla - but it's still very uncertain).

So, unless You need ego boost by using 143234565434 mhz on two cores to only browse web and play angry birds (because operating system doesn't allow You for any other serious things, where resources would be required), it's rather surprising, that You managed to use other device, without cursing it's uselessness.

/Estel

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Whom are you attacking? The thread is friendly. He is merely playing catch-up with the latest Community enhancements and asking for some applications. He hasn't used N900 for a long time, so he asks others - reading all the threads which were created in his absence would be an impossible task.

Best wishes.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Hi Mike,

Thanks heaps for the info - I have dled CSSU - will let you know how it goes. Glad to meet some one who understands my frustrations :)

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Hi Glabifrons, I have installed CSSU, but I cannot find CSSU-Thumb - where is it found?

I will also enable SmartReflex.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Hi Wiki,

Thanks so much for this list - truly very helpful. The fact you included links was even better :D

I will begin dling and testing and comment in the correct threads :D

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Try here: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=84829
:)

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

QStarDict hasn't been updated for a long time. MStarDict and EStarDict are alternative applications.
Best wishes.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Research Swappolube and Swap on SD for your lag issues.
IMO you don't need to overclock.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Added something to the list ^^

Cutetube best youtube player in my opinion. Possibility to play the video's trough in built video player/Meamo media player/Mplayer/KMplayer.

CSSU-Thump2

Swappolube does increase the speed by a little bit.

Overclocking is not really needed, just makes your battery run out quicker. Although I sometimes set it to 805 MHZ when browsing Cutetube. Feels like the video's start a bit faster.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

I would recommend Pierogi - it's not an essential, but it is very gratifying to just pull out your phone & change the channels on TV at work or at home without having to find the remote. Man does not live by document viewers alone.
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php...hlight=pierogi

I also have the Documents to Go set installed on my phone - not officially still supported, but I was able to find the page to buy the package. It has been one of the things that make my phone indispensable, being able to access powerpoint & spreadsheet files.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

coming from an Iphone , you're better off with a N9.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

A big thanks to all the comments and help - I have hit a wall it seems.

I notice that the Application Manager some times just doesn't load at all - I constantly get an error saying there are no catalogs. I did manage to DL Faster Application Manager, but I cant seem to DL anything using it - it keeps telling me there are dependencies!

Oh and my device is even more buggy since CSSU lol.

I plan to reflash my device - and work off a clean slate - I think that might be best.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Also, pick up the official (never released) Adobe Flashplayer 10, which can be found here:

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1275620

It can also be patched to self-report as Flash v11, which is often enough for modern websites.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Hi mr2600,

A device with properly installed CSSU should feel snappier vs a device with stock PR on any-day.

I would suggest you to follow the below for a faster UI

i. Perform a clean re-flash including emmc. -( Clear things up)
ii. Install KP- 51/52 - (Stable smart reflex support + a load of goodies)
iii. Install CSSU thumb.
iv. Install theme customizer (use custom -fast transitions)
v. buy a fast microsd and enable swapping , use swapset for mounting and setting swap priorities.

You may also install 720p video support libraries which will make your device record in higher resolutions while maintaining fluidity.

There are so many safe tweaks available to maker the device faster and more current, do some reading ;).

Do the above before enabling any other repositories, then you will have less problems with HAM, as it has trouble dealing with -devel especially.

FYI:
After you click on HAM give it a few minutes to do its thing and show up. if you are connected to internet it will start updating the catologue files, let it complete it first before opening the application, repeatedly opening ham will do nothing but give errors. Alternatively you can use FAM for general application related operations.

Do not compare this device with iphone as n900 will work more like a desktop pc, the other like a phone :D

//nkirk

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Just be careful, have found custom fast transitions from theme customizer can remove some things from your transitions.ini file, editing the transitions.ini with lots of different things can cause the file to become unreadable.

If you feel confident use the hildon-desktop wiki to edit the values manually.

I normally manually change all the big values to 200 or 150.

Also before modifying anything backup.
Even better after a full reflash backup with backupmenu, when you've added your stuff backup again.
You have something to return to if something dies.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Just performed the emmc reflash and then the rx reflash. (also performed a back up using backupmenu).

Now - steps because I am slightly unclear on yours

1. CSSU
2. KP- 51 - Should i run it at 900mhz and then enable smartreflex or should I just leave it at default clock and enamble smartref?
3. CSSU - Thumb

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Question now is do you want Bleeding Edge (very small possiblity of bugs) or rock solid Stable?


There are two branches of CSSU Stable or Testing.

IMO no overclock, smartreflex and standard clock speeds should come with KP50>. So install just the main KP package and use "out the box". Then see how you get on.

FYI - when you change your setup "CSSU, KP" etc you need to backup with backupmenu again. This is because you need the same system setup to restore the images.
Example you can't restore a CSSU "backupmenu" backup on PR1.3.1 etc.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

I installed Stable CSSU (after a clean reflash) and I was using it one week, but found several bugs and had to reflash again. After intensive use (web with flash, angrybirds, etc), when trying to switch of the phone, it did not switched off but freezed or reset. That happened many times in the night when I go to bed and switch off the phone. After restarting it, the switch off command worked properly.
In addition, the responsiveness of the task switcher menu is not as fast as in the stock system. After showing the task switcher you have to wait a little bit before selecting any of the tasks, or the phone will not respond to your selection (althoug the screen notifies the "tap" with the typical sound). I changed the transitions.ini trying to improve this but without success.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

hi guys, the Speed ​​Patch is recommended??. Improving the performance of our n900?

Thansk

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

I did not see any improvement before reflashing (I had speed patch installed). Indeed, although I am not sure, I think that some games like angrybirds seem slower (jerky) when this patch is installed. In my reflashed system, I have not installed SpeedPatch and I do not see any drawback.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

The speed patch is a tiny bit of code that messes with the Linux task scheduler. There are many, many opinions about how scheduling should be managed, and no clear winners amongst them; the "speedpatch" merely replaces the default mechanism with one that the author of the code believed was better. Whether it is, in fact, better for you depends on how you use your device; however, given the way that it heavily skews scheduling towards just the user-facing tasks, I suspect that overall performance would actually drop. I want my N900 to perform all tasks in a timely manner, not just the one in current control of the GUI.

(One reason that you can't really multitask on other cell phones is to avoid even thinking about this problem; if you can't run tasks in the background, then you don't have to worry so much about scheduling tasks in the background. It's kind of amazing that people are still today crowing about the ability to run two apps at the same time on Android. I had to cringe when I watched a video demonstrating the upcoming BB10 OS, and one of the highly touted features was that "we will let you run EIGHT apps at the same time!" As if that were something to be amazed at.)

Honestly, if you want to actually run apps faster on the N900, there are only two useful methods. One, you can overclock the processor, to force commands to execute at a higher speed. Two, you can get involved with the remarkable effort undertaken to rebuild the Maemo system using the thumb2 instruction set. The N900's CPU had support for this more efficient command set from the start, but due to a few bugs, it was never used; due to the work of Freemangordon, however, an entire Maemo environment built using this instruction set is now becoming available.

In short, the "speed patch" and "battery patch" stuff is just snake oil. If you want to squeeze every last bit of performance out of your N900, you need to go with the guys who have put the real effort into creating an optimized system...

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

no.

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p...0&postcount=29

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

I though Smartreflex was unstable above 805+ MHZ. You don't actually need 900 MHZ anyway for normal phone usage. I keep it at 805 with smartreflex.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

@freemangordon
What do you think about swappolube PROPOSED settings?

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

I am only getting sluggish performance from my N900 when switching between 2+ big apps ie. classic swapfile situation. Would a microSD help here and is it because we can buy faster flash than that internal to the N900? If so, what speed/size should I get?

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

The tests I have done about the speed of the N900 internal memory report that it is sligtly faster than the faster available microSD card (class 10). Indeed, I have a 32 GB microSD card in my N900 and I will not put the swap on it because I don't think I can get any advantage but many other problems.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

@ikerrg,

For random-access (including swap), class 2 or 4 is generally better than higher-rated cards (the rating is about continuous, sequential, writing).

Many people around here (including me) have swap only on a uSD card with class 2 or 4 (I think mine is 2), and most (again, including me) find that responsiveness is generally better like that.

But AFAIK no "true" experiment has been done. Nor needs to be done anyway. I guess no two N900s have the exact same settings anyway :)

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Really? I did not know that! Class rating is related with sequential reading/writting, that is true, but I did not know that the random access could be worse in high-rated cards than in older, low-rated cards. I will try to find information about that.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Higher class cards also tend to be higher capacity. This comes at a price, because the block size also increases. Note this is block size at hardware level and has nothing to do with the file system block size. Overwriting anything within the block is a four step process: read block, overwrite the relevant bit in memory, erase block, write block (or, more frequently, mark the old block invalid, write new content in a new block, reuse marked blocks when you run out of unused blocks).

I would even argue that for swap you need not only a lower class card, but also a lower capacity one, to minimize the block size impact. Please note that partitioning the card is not a solution as the problem is at the hardware level.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

I have a question for you guys now: I tried installing Kernel Power 50/51 and CSSU_Thumb and got massive instability--am I to assume they're incompatible? I really want to have KP 51 because of the new, improved USB OTG subsystem (and related stuff)...

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

@storkus,

Off-topic here. CSSU thumb comes with its own kernel, unless you have kp51r1 (notice the "r1", i.e. not kp51, not kp50).

Previous kernels don't fully support programs using the thumb2 instruction set, so your N900 becomes essentially a time bomb.

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

Thank you VERY much reinob! As I (sort of) said, I'm rather familiar with the "time bomb" you speak of--only the "time" for me was pretty much the time to first reboot after install! :(

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

What about using the N900 in 2012 with Nemo OS?

I am using it. I was dumb enough to install it on internal memory.
It's painfull and slow.. but it has so much potential.

The UI is beautiful and smart. let's hope each Nemo update makes it more usable

: )

Re: Using the n900 in 2012
 

According to fakeplastic in this Pi thread some microSD cards are 200x faster for writes than others.

It seems that the fastest microSDs are Sandisk, but not all Sandisk are fast. The fastest for random 4k writes happens to be a class 6.

Also, might it be worth putting swap on microSD to avoid wearing out the irreplaceable flash on the N900?