I understand what you're saying. In one way, it's a little like the Microsoft cliche that "nothing is worth using until version 3.1". And, in a business sense, there is a case to be made for that. But it's a philosophy that irks me.

And, the other side of that is the Apple way: try to present a 100% finished product (that has minor flaws instead of major flaws) in 1.0. They said "the final iPhone product will be finger friendly", and they didn't say "ok, that'll be version 3.1, not version 1.0, in the mean time we'll release a device whose hardware needs to be finger friendly, but isn't ... or we'll include a stylus just in case we're not 100% finger friendly".

And, by going straight to the final product, you don't give your competitors a chance to match you update for update, so that they're right on your heels as you get to the final product. I mean, look at how some of the new CES MIDs aren't that different in overall capability from the N810 ... and the N810 is just a few months old -- it took the industry 2 years to catch up with the 770, but because they saw the market evolving through the 770, N800, and N810 (and probably reading these kinds of forums to steal ideas), they were able to be ready with an N810 type device at the same time Nokia was.

If the first NIT had been a finished hardware design, from a UI perspective but not from a protocols perspective, then the industry would have been left scrambling a bit, I think. That's kind of what happened with the iPhone. Finished hardware UI on version 1. Software to support that hardware UI on version 1. They'll evolve it some, and the underlying stuff (EDGE vs HSPA) will obviously evolve, but I bet the iPhone's physical UI layout wont change much. It doesn't need to (sure, I'd like to see it have a slide-out keyboard, but I bet there isn't enough push for that for Apple to listen).

So, it IS possible to make that happen. But it's definitely just one of two (or more) schools of thought. So while I understand what you're saying, and see it as a workable/profitable approach, it's just an approach I don't like. And I definitely don't think it's necessary.

I generally agree with what you're saying-- I just don't believe Nokia has much choice where the tablets are concerned at this point. The MIDs are breathing down our neck. And while the iPhone offers some inspiration and motivation, it still isn't a direct competitor. Not to say that will always be the case, though, so by the time we offer something that DOES go head-to-head with the (next gen) iPhone there will be no excuses. It had better be ready.

Since:

• the MID platform in general includes broadband wireless (WiMAX, HSPA, etc.),
• Skype is talking about supporting more MID/UMPCs than just the NIT and PSP,
• (EDIT) and Skype effectively makes a WiMAX NIT into a mobile phone.

I think that the NIT*, iPhone, and MIDs are all going to end up in 1 category by the end of the year.

(* the WiMAX NIT, anyway)

So, I think Nokia has mere months to get ready for competing with the iPhone.

What I would like to see for the N900:

1. improved battery life (6 to 8 hours of online activity over WiFi/BT or media playback over BT A2DP)

2. improved performance -- if going from 320Mhz to 400Mhz gives this kind of improvement, I'd look forward to going up to 520Mhz

3. native support for A2DP (yes, I know this can be sort of done today, but it requires a couple of arcane commandlines and it still has limitations)

4. support for two SDHC cards, or maybe even 1 x CF and 1 x SDHC. CF prices are plunging on a per-MB basis, and if Nokia starts adding PMP to the positioning statement (thus making it Media Meets Internet), the N900 would fly off the shelves

I am pretty happy with my n810 and I think it is really close to what I would want. My needs I think are pretty do-able as well. I would add a second camera to the backside so I can take pictures of things and people like I would with a cell phone. Of course it would need to be at least 2-3 mega pixels. The edges and corners should be rounder. It is a bit bothersome to type on it. A Function key on the right side of the key pad would mike it easier to use with the left side keys. I do agree that the resolution needs to get bumped up. Screen size should be a bit bigger not much. The ability to charge extra batteries outside of the device would be nice! Oh yeah... For the tips they could give us the next model for free right http://nokian810.wordpress.com

What would be real nice is a scroll wheel on the right side similar to a blackberry.

Well here's what I want:

Form:
*The device is exactly the size of N800 display and at the front it's all display and nothing else.
*On the left side there's a speaker and a slot for stylus
*On the right side there's a speaker and pop-up microsd slot thingy that takes 2 cards
*On the bottom there's usb and 3.5mm jack (tv out too)
*On the top there's a pop-up camera ala N800 in the middle and at the right corner a button.. at the left corner there's a scroll wheel
*There's also a slideout keyboard ala N810
*The device is about as thick as the N810

Specs:
*It has about 25% more beef than the N800
*The camera is at least 3MP
*Integrated GPS
*Works as a 3G phone as well
*Gives you at least 30h of mp3 playback when used as a dedicated device (offline mode)
*Accelerometer for display rotation


That's about it. Yes it would be a phone as well..

If this thing was to be a tablet alone I'd like the display to be 7" or maybe even larger..

I would really like to NOT see a scroll wheel. :-}

Video/monitor out.
Foolproof & flexible video calling.

Wondering if it would be practical or useful for one of the site admins to perhaps setup a survey.. suppose this is something Nokia should really ought to do.. and probably does with select folks..