sorry just want to understand the usb host basically will it give off power? also does this mean things like external hard drives, may be dvd rw, web cam etc can be hooked up an used providing theres enough power.

just though if it was possible / downloading mp3 / some how haveing itunes o the phone and transfering your music to the ipod would make apple users feel sick

There's a lengthy thread discussing the N900 and things usb at http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php...hlight=usb+otg

My understanding from reading most of that is that usb host might be possible for some applications, but a very good chance that it's not, and that there's really very very little chance that the N900 will be able to power other devices without using a powered usb hub.

Certainly, my impression is that usb host won't be possible out of the box.

I'd love for someone to correct me on any of the above though!

Even if it isn't supported out of the box, instead of using usb devices, most of the time, you could use bluetooth hid devices. Or you could use a hub that supplies power (maybe there are even hubs with included batteries, dunno bout that, but would be a good workaround).