This is the best web & media device I have ever owned:

1. Web = amazing
2. Audio = very good
3. Video = quality and format coverage is amazing
4. Apps, more codecs and games...... well, when they finally do come out, I am sure they will be amazing too

With a VERY heavy heart though, as a phone, the following problems easily make this the worse "phone" I have ever owned and leaning me to a return.

I have worked in the same area for seven years and used the N-Gage, Dash, T349, G1 and Nokia 3610 and have NEVER had one connection problem. Since using the N900 for travel on the same roads I now get the following in the exact same areas/spots:

"No data service" followed quickly by "No cellular service". The N900 then takes a few minutes before it reacquires any connection at all- even after entering a high coverage area. I have lost connection to calls in those areas and have been methodically testing my other phones for comparison. Zero cellular connection problems with the other phones and no data issues with the Dash or G1.

At home where I normally get steady full bars of 2G, I can leave the N900 in the same place and I get "dancing bars" that range from no data service to two bars of Edge. G1 is rock solid in same place with full 2G bars.

Had I not loved everything else about the N900, it would already be going back. I was on tier 2 Tmo tech support for an hour trying to figure it out. They changed my data profile from Android data service to smart-phone, but I doubt that is going to make a difference. Prior to that, my IMEI was registered and I got a new SIM for the N900.

I would expect the radio on these devices to either work or not work, so I can not see how I am the only person having connection problems with the N900. Everyone else raves that they get much better reception, but has everyone checked in weak areas?

This is SO frustrating, but I need to at least have a reliable phone connection while on the road. Two devices is not an option, since I could use the G1 for phone calls and my Archos 5 for media and Flash already. I wanted ONE device to cover it all.

I am not seeing how I am the only person having these problems, so maybe there is a problem with the radio, but when I am in a place with a good Edge signal, it works great. It is when I enter places that do not have a good signal is where I have the problem.

The irony sucks, but irony usually does- suck.

added:

BTW: My Nokia tech support experience was sad- The "tech" person I spoke with did not know the difference from GPS and GPRS Really.