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Posts: 861 | Thanked: 734 times | Joined on Jan 2008 @ Nomadic
#726
Originally Posted by fpp View Post
Let's count :

1) upgradability : tablets still don't have decent competition right now, but phones are a dime a dozen. This is my fourth (second-hand) modem/phone since I got started with the 770. Along the way I went from EDGE to 3G to 3G+. What if I buy a 3G+ N900 this year, and 4G starts rolling out next year ?

2) independence : tablets are unshackled, phones aren't. Over the last two years I switched operators three times in the hunt for the best data plan. What if the N900 is sold by only one operator in my country, like the iPhone was until recently ?

3) dezoning : you could buy (or sell) a 770 or N800 anywhere in the world, it didn't make any difference. With the N810 there is the pesky nag of the keyboard layout, but one may choose to compromise on that. But if your cell radio is CDMA or GSM or whatever, you're pretty well bound to those networks.

4) battery life : two devices means two batteries. The tablet's takes care of computing, the phone's takes care of transmission. And those 3G+ speeds are real greedy leeches. My E71 has the same battery capacity as the tablets - that's twice the juice.

5) versatility : yes, I use my tablet a lot. But sometimes I don't have it with me, or it's just quicker and simpler to whip out the phone for something really simple (weather etc.). The phone also does VoIP more naturally and with less fuss than the tablet. Then again I sometimes spend a day in a meeting with my netbook, which I also tether to the phone for net access. That's three devices I can use that single data plan with ; four, if you count my home desktop when my DSL line is fubared ; six, given that I happen to have three tablets :-)

6) resilience : phone dead ? Buy/borrow another and stick the SIM inside. Stuck in a corner of a room with poor reception ? Position the phone a few meters away near a window and use your tablet/netbook from your seat. Etc.

This all practical, real-life experience. At the moment all that "convergence" stuff is purely virtual to me. Maybe in a year or two I'll see the light and change my mind, but for now it does sound like somebody else pushing their own interests, rather than mine...
This is fun

#1: Nokia wants Maemo to hit a larger user base, making software and hardware costs for using it decrease, which means in time lower prices.

#2: there has been nothing confirmed about the N900, or any Maemo 5 devices for that matter, being shackled to any carriers. For that matter, Nokia makes a very healthy living everywhere not named the US in selling unlocked/unbranded devices. There's no reason to believe they will become a carrier-ho like ** or ******* or *****.

#3: HSPA is GSM. Nokia deals only in GSM unless dealing with Verizon or Chinese operators. Maemo 5 supports HSPA. Ding as a good sign for Nokia here too.

#4: Two devices means you are less efficient power-wise. One device that is optimized to be used hard, is a much better proposition for all, with the exception of some use cases where two devices might better fit the task.

#5: a smaller tablet, or a tablet with a different form factor would cure what ails you

#6: Or just move closer to the window with one device and be ok XD

There's nothing wrong with having your preference, but as you and others will continue to notice - tech is transforming and there are 3 generations of users to cater to. Nokia will choose one group and rock from there. Either it works for you, or you adjust and it works sotra for you. No need to cry that your milk is no longer good enough, just use what works best and be realistic about your expectations based on what you need and can afford.
 

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