Qgil :

That's the challenge. While I ( after designing more than half dozen on screen keyboards) now that this is hard, I only proposed after looking at a feel details:

a) The screen is almost exactly as large as the iphone (ipod touch)

And the best:

Nokia Industrial design finally removed the "bevel" around the border of the screen. this also makes the life easier because enables smaller border for the keys that are on the left or right edges.

The real deal here is not about the space: but about plugging the prediction and doing some error correction smart dictionary (flexible) based on word movement pattern.

I truly believe (because of the Ind. Design) that the N900 can have a virtual keyboard in portrait as good as the iphone, and REALLY way better than Android's (HTC MAGIC ) G2.

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And Qim : You are not only using one thumb, you have the freedom also to double thumb on that, as well using a point finger.

The thing (like you asked before) :"Do you really prefer typing on T9 portrait than in the keyboard fully available "

It's situation based, and in our Usability studies, it does make sense for a lot of people that simply don't want to keep turning the device ALL the time they make something.

- That's truly why I totally understand why the whole device is in landscape, it sends a message : It was made for that orientation.

- And for sure, it would be PAINFUL (I know that the Nokia design UI team for Maemo would suffer like hell to please everyone)

But that's why I posted :

We are not the users What makes sense for you and me.. doesn't make sense to the masses