Goodbye to Maemo
 

I hate to do this, but I am saying goodbye to my trusty N810 for an Android device. I have done this for several reasons, but two really stick out. Firstly, the policy that Nokia seems to have about abandoning operating systems. I know I will get some flack for this, but as an end user, first hearing that Harmattan will not be backported, then hearing that Harmattan will be abandoned in favor of MeeGo seems to me to be a pattern. I am not a programmer or coder, but a mere end user. From my perspective, I see Nokia making a habit of jumping to the next big idea constantly. I want to purchase and use my mobile device and not have to worry so much about it being obsolete in a year.

This is not at all to discount the efforts of all of you here and the Maemo community. You all have busted *** to write applications and to work dilligently on alternative and updated operating systems. I just don't see Nokia making the effort to turn a great hobbyist/ hacker niche device into a mainstream commercial success.

My other gripe is with the PDA functionality not built into Maemo. Diablo pretty much ignored this area, although there are some acceptable applicaitons available to cover the gaps. I could upgrade to an N900, but Nokia has already moved on to the next OS, leaving that an abandoned OS again.

From the perspective of an end user, it just seemed time to go with an OS that will be supported with upgrades, and that had a more substantial base of applications that was not fragmented by multiple OSes. Thank all of you for your support and advice over the last year and a half and I wish you all well. Maybe if Nokia settles down I will be back.

Re: Goodbye to Maemo
 

Sorry to see you go, I understand the reasons. A question to you and everyone else really is do you know for sure that any Android device you buy is going to get free operating system upgrades? I hope so, otherwise you may find youself in the same boat in the Android camp.
It's very rare that any device gets free upgrades for life; there would be no reason for users to upgrade and therefore no money in it for the manufacturers.
In a way I hope N900 does get MeeGo as it would extend the useful life of the device dramatically.

Re: Goodbye to Maemo
 

I don't know, but personally I'm being tempted to switch from my N900 to a Samsung Galaxy S (the current king of Android devices hardware wise - mostly because of the larger screen [intensive web browsing on N900 hurts my eyes and gives me a headache]) - then again I'm still using my N900, despite the Galaxy S being available for over 2 weeks now, so draw your own conclusions.

N900 will get MeeGo - N900 IS one of the principal vehicles for MeeGo development - it is beyond doubt that N900 will get a fully functional MeeGo release, but just not officially supported by Nokia.

Re: Goodbye to Maemo
 

This is unlikely. A lot of original Android devices won't get the new 2.x releases because the mobile manufacturer has released dozens of superseding phones since.
Take, for example, the SE X10 range. They've only just been released, but people didn't know for sure if they'd be getting the upgrade to version 2. Now it seems they'll be getting it, but only because they've been released at around the same time as the newer Android. Tough for older handsets.

My issue with Nokia is that the N900 isn't supported to the same level as other phones in the same price range. No free turn-by-turn navigation, very little Ovi support and all that. For example, I can't even put in what type of phone I have on the Ovi site because it's not listed. I think the support for the OS itself (updates etc.) are about what I expected from them.
Also, it looks like the N900 will get a Meego release, which will help future-proof the device.

The N900 is pretty much what I wanted from a phone - a Zaurus with a phone in it. If I'd wanted all the PIM and apps support, I'd have gone for an Android phone.

Re: Goodbye to Maemo
 

"t's very rare that any device gets free upgrades for life"

Im getting my iphone os 4.0 soon :D FOC for my 3gs, but their stuff is soo good im seriously considering shelling out £500 to get the new iphone sim free.

Apple know how to look after their customers, and yes, their updates actually provide useful features......I haven't even turned my n900 on after the pathetic PR1.2 "update" which was just a "bug fix" release, that created as many bugs as it fixed.

taylorfs, If your leaving nokia man, at least *try* the iPhone, will cost you nothing, and you *will* be impressed, Android would be a safe bet too.

The new iphone is out next week. And yes your right about Nokia, they have no direction ,no roadmap, constantly jumping from one os to another..........and their products and users are paying the price, I was so disappointed in the N900 I bought in December, I went and got another contract for Iphone in Jan, my N900 costs me £35 a month to sit on my sideboard, sad but true.

Re: Goodbye to Maemo
 

Apple are unique in being in the position of having a very limited portfolio of devices running their own OS, which means they can write updates that will work across all their phones.
Other manufacturers would have to tailor an update to, say, Android for hundreds of phones. And of course they also don't like it if you don't go out and buy another phone every year or two.
I'd be surprised if Apple would support their older iPhones after a couple more major OS updates.

Re: Goodbye to Maemo
 

i still have s60v2 device and i am still receiving updates for the OS. yeah, s60v2 is outdated, but that OS is my first super phone!

now i'm on maemo, i know this will or might be what you've said, but developers will still be there.....i believe......to make updates.....not on the OS but for many stuff that will make the OS worthy to keep...

Re: Goodbye to Maemo
 

- Apple know how to look after their customers.

Yes thats true because their customers are paying them for everything. From ringtones, useful apps, replacement batteries etc. You are locked inside apple's world. You give money, they give service.

Nokia is for most part free for life. After buying every nokia device i've yet to pay nokia for anything else. Bought replacement batteries from 3rd suppliers (and changed it myself! shock), create my own ringtones, wallpapers (Glad OS4 can finally have wallpapers), and the excellent maemo developer community chug out new app's every week. Free!.

- at least *try* the iPhone, will cost you nothing

Er yes. Nothing? except your pennies on a daily basis. Also lets not forget what you will lose. (Assuming you actually like open standards?).
But yes most customers just want pretty looking interfaces with minimal functionality but stable apps. Iphone 4 has excellent hardware but it's OS remains the same (folders are not revolutionary, nor is multi tasking).

Android is excellent too for a consumer who sits inbetween these two devices. Though i do seriously believe N900 is only really appreciated and loved by a few. It will remain in my mind a handset/maemo OS that re-ignited my love for nokia :D . I know, I know. Hate Nokia but they did bring us N900 and Maemo.

Re: Goodbye to Maemo
 

Facepalm - it is.

They're already starting to pull a Nokia - 2G doesn't support iOS 4, despite having the same internals as the 3G. Even so iOS 4 is crippled for the non iPhone 4 phones...http://blog.gsmarena.com/ios-4-gold-...-rant-follows/

I don't know, some experts on mobile phones are calling Face Time revolutionary.

Goes to show how stringent research/education/employment standards are in the industry.

Re: Goodbye to Maemo
 

"pple are unique in being in the position of having a very limited portfolio of devices running their own OS"

hmmm remind again me how many maemo hardware platforms there are ?