It's not true (I read the same thing before and have been corrected). They are capable of same resolution and all. The lack of capicitative touch screen phones that have a similar resolution is probably due more to price.

I think being a new smartphone buyer, you should take a second and listen. You SOUND like a new smartphone user, and I don't mean that as a slight. You just don't know what may be important to you later down the line yet. That's fine. But these guys are giving you some good food for thought. Just listen and research for yourself, because the features mentioned are really important once you use any smart device awhile.

For instance, what happens when you need to use your device in freezing weather and you need gloves? What if you're working in the shop and have an accident with a saw and sever your fingers? How can you use the phone? Maybe if you use a pen in your mouth to tap the screen like a finger... NOPE! Capacitive REQUIRES a finger. Not a nail, pencil, toothpick, car key, nothing! So dirty fingers mean dirtier screens. Is that what you want? Doubt it. And what about handwriting recognition? The guys using capacitive don't have good handwriting software, which is why they don't need a resistive screen. Nokia allows you to write with accuracy, at least on the N97. And what about when you sneeze and sling a huge line of snot across your screen? (happened to me, seriously. Gross, I know) Wipe the capacitive screen, and it actually activates stuff, but a light wipe on a resistive screen won't.

The required pressure is minimal, but its a better solution when done right, and Nokia has, from all accounts except the Engadget Show. Many reviewers had to ask if it were capacitive or resistive, because it wasn't obvious from performance. Its not because we're used to using fingernails, its just good to keep your screen from being always smudged with oils, and the ability to use anything beats being forced to use your finger only. Agility beats a pigeon hole anyday. One works with fingers and the other works with fingers or anything else you like. Which sounds better?



Not so fast! We don't cling to it. Most like the finger solution. But the versatility and handwriting recognition is the main reason we like resistive. Why give up options for something that won't give many improvements, and will only exclude many people and the Asian markets from using it? Ask the Chinese how many like the iPhone. Its not feasible for most of them without resistive for handwriting recognition. The N900 is a far more powerful and capable solution, and nothing like the iPhone, Pre, or N97 for that matter. You have to look at the purpose of the device. The N900 is a desktop replacement device, not just a smartphone.

Well, if your device must make a fashion statement, I think you should just look at photos and make a choice. But you should expect to run into roadblocks and issues that you compromised on in order to look cute. I can name a list, but if its not important, haven't you already made your choice? Or is the N900 as sexy to you as it is to me? Once you learn more about technology, the physical prowess of a device is just as fashionable as the cute devices.

[quote}There are plenty of other great things about this device that make me want it. I'm just saying the screen, or the 'ability' to use a stylus, fingernail, mitten, etc. isn't one of them.[/QUOTE]

Well that's fair. If a responsive screen is one of them, regardless what type it is, I don't think you have much to worry about. The display on the Engadget Show showing an unresponsive screen was contrived, and not normal. He had to TRY to not activate the screen, and watching the other 20 million N900 hands on videos should prove my point.

Good luck with your final choice.

Oh I have seen the character recognition software for the iPhone (watched a few videos of it when it first came out). It is indeed a possible replacement for using a stylus (though I wouldn't argue that it's better).

As for the stylus issue, I believe there are styluses being developed that would work on capacitative screens. So in the future it does look like resistive will be dead or not the ideal choice for a device like this. But for now resistive and capacitative both have their place in this market sector. It's just more what you are going to do with the device that determines which screen to use.

Edit:

"And what about when you sneeze and sling a huge line of snot across your screen? (happened to me, seriously. Gross, I know) Wipe the capacitive screen, and it actually activates stuff, but a light wipe on a resistive screen won't."

Eww. But you could just lock the device then wipe it..I do that already when I want to clean the screen protector of the n800.

@Laughing Man: Yes and in that sense I also think Apple made a good call with their UI. They redesigned it for one hand use without stylus that makes 90% of my daily usecases just 'better' on it.. so, like you said, everything just fits together well.

@sachin: yes, actually I'm looking forward to trying out the N900's screen because I saw in one of the video that Peter@Maemo said he prefers to use the N900 WITHOUT A STYLUS and that he's been using it that way for some time.

So yeah, the best case for me would be if the screen can behave as sensitive and responsive as a capacitive screen for 90% of my daily usage scenario (one handed use) and if for some reason I need to manipulate very small objects on the screen with high precision, the I have the option to take out the stylus.

Not having multitouch is ok, AS LONG AS THE ALTERNATIVE CONTROLS ARE SANE. Looking at the nipple twirls for browser zoom, I haven't been that impressed. It's the same gesture used in HTC browsers... but, whatever, no big deal, as long as they implement double-tap-to-zoom-to-div-width properly.

I do have slight reservation about N900's high resolution screen. I've owned the Toshiba G900 which has a 3.2" 800x480 screen. Yes, it's the same resolution as NIT and N900, and even smaller.... and at 3.2" it's kind of pointless to have that much detail. You'd have to squint and look at small things closer, which lessens the comfort from usability point of view.

Higher resolution also means = high resource requirements. This means CPU, GPU and Drive space consumption (the graphic assets are bigger in general?).

You DID read that, but not the way you're saying it. Capacitive screens are accurate and sensitive for detecting touch, but the touches aren't high resolution. For instance, the resistive screen can detect the differences in pixels selected much better. Capacitive screens MUST have larger elements, since it can only detect touches of a particular size. Don't forget, capacitive detects the PAD of a finger. Now that's a pretty large pointer. Resistive can detect a pinpoint touch, and elements can be much smaller. So the resolution applies to the touch detection, not the pixel density.

YEAH! Congratulations!!

What won you over? I thought the sexy and slim iPhone would win from your style mentions. I'm shocked, but I bet you'll thank yourself if you can try the N900 beside and iPhone user. They'll almost always be jealous if the N95 was any indicator.

I was won over almost a week ago. If you had actually taken the time to read my posts in this thread, you would know that I think this device is near perfection. My only point was that while Josh of Engadget's demo was atrocious, his halfhearted demonstration of the touch screen is telling.

I later went on to explain that I understand the purported benefits of resistive screens, and that I am simply not impressed by them. I also said that I am buying this device in SPITE of the screen. Lastly, I clearly stated that this is my opinion as a new smart phone user/buyer--not an economist. Do you really think that the possible use of hand-writing recognition for people in Indochina is at all compelling to me as an American consumer?

I wouldn't normally suggest someone scroll through a thread as long as this one before responding, but given your completely off the mark diatribe a few posts back, I feel it's only fair. You took almost everything I said out of context, exaggerated it and condescendingly assumed I'm either uniformed or stupid.

Edit: Oh yeah... YES I think the N900 is sexy as hell. I just don't think whipping out a stylus to maximize a flash video is.

Capacitive or resistive touch has nothing to do with the LCD screen or display. They are both a layer over the top of the LCD glass.

For some of us, it's not about picking and getting the device that will make other smartphone users out there jealous. It's about getting the device that works best to get you through the day.

If you're more concerned about what a reviewer says about your device than what your experience with that device tells you, then you may need to recheck your priorities..

EDIT:

Ok, in a larger context, we're a community that cares about the success of N900 and Maemo, and we all understand how people on soapboxes (reviewers, etc) may be holding the megaphones that may reach into a larger audience that may contribute to N900's sales.

In that sense we are all concerned about how they are depicting the product and obviously we're all hoping for positive reviews to further our interests...

Ysss do you currently or in the past use any of the internet tablets?