Title says it all, really. If you now have an N900 or other smartphone that has superseded your N8*0 as your go-to portable device, do you still use the N8*0? If so, how does it stay useful for you?

Here's my story:

Christmas 2008: I wanted to upgrade my ancient Pocket PC to a newer device with wifi. My wife wanted an iPod Touch. I persuaded her to consider other devices, and in the course of her research, she found out about the N810. Long story short, we both got internet tablets for Christmas.

We both loved our tablets, but gradually became disenchanted with the never-ending and often futile search for open wifi networks. My wife also found the tablet to be a bit too complex and clunky, and wearied of carrying multiple devices. Eventually, we decided that the convenience of having smartphones with data plans would be worth the extra cost.

The N900 had not yet been released, and wouldn't be available on our network in any case, so I got a Windows phone, and the wife got an iPhone, which is what she had really wanted all along. Her tablet now sits idle in a drawer, while mine serves as my late-night-browsing-in-bed-til-I-fall-asleep device.

Every now and then, I consider selling my N810, but there are a few things it does really well that maintain its usefulness to me, including one or two things I wish my Windows phone did better:

1. Web browsing: My phone has a faster processor and WVGA resolution, but the N810's larger screen makes for a more comfortable browsing experience. Also, ever since Opera Mobile for the NIT was released, I've fallen in love with the device all over again. MicroB might be a little faster on some sites, but the UI and overall browsing interface with Opera is, in my mind, unparalleled. After discovering Opera for the NIT, I installed it on my Windows Phone as well. I just can't say enough good things about that browser.

2. Internet radio: I love the way Nokia's internet radio capabilities are integrated right into the media player. I have yet to find an internet radio app that works well on my Windows phone.

3. Google Voice dialer: I have an elaborate Google Voice setup that includes an analog telephone adapter configured with 4 different GV accounts connected to 2 conventional phones. I have DialCentral set up on the NIT, and it's my go-to dialpad whenever I need to place an "outgoing" call through Google Voice. Computers take time to boot up and open a web browser, but the tablet can be ready to dial in a matter of seconds. Props to epage for creating that fantastic app.

I do not use my N810 after getting the N900. This despite my opinion that the N810 is better to use in bed (thanks to Advanced Backlight), I liked FBReader better on the N810, and I think the text on many web pages is too small for the N900.

I guess I just can't be bothered to have two too similar devices to update.

I have been wanting to use the N810 as a car hands free unit (with A2DP audio streaming) for the N900. But it will not blend.

I, too, no longer use my N810.

I'd love to use it for web browsing with its larger screen, but I sold my old phone to get the N900. Unlike my old phone, the N900 doesn't support the DUN Bluetooth profile. Yes, I know there are workarounds, but at some point it just becomes more trouble than it's worth.

I use my n800 as a SSH server to access my home network - I plan to also add a HDD over an OTG connector to attach a larger hard drive - then map it and use it as online storage for my n900/NAS for my home network.

this is how I though I would use mine, but i found QNAP which does it better, so I now use my n810 to make me feel bad about rapid consumption of consumer electronics.

because of its small size and linux i have found lots of uses for it previously as some type of network attahced hardware. splice in some POE and you can really get creative.

right now i have an n810 mounted to wall outside our office suite(indoors) and use it as a video doorphone over sip. given most of the people wanting access are pretty technical anway

i have also used it in various situation as a vnc display of some screen i needed in another area in a pinch(we have one comp hooked to a projector but it is headless, hand it to sales guy and say push this button)

i havent done the usb otg plus hard drive yet, but it could be very useful in that respect as well as some type of surveillance dvr on the cheap

i have also contemplated seeing if blueproximity will run on there and mount it somewhere and use cellphones to grant/log access, etc

Know the feeling.

My N810's keyboard is going wonky, but I've got two perfectly good N800s and the N810's fine otherwise. There ought to be some good uses, but I haven't come up with them yet.*

I'd use one of them as a NAS etc., but I've already got an old EeePC doing that.



*Well, the one project I have considered, but not yet implemented, is a front-door server -- duct-tape an N800 with its camera looking out the peep-hole, and provide a serial, USB, or even (super-kludge-powers!) audio controlled motor to open/close the deadbolt.

Of course, the on-screen/remote peep-hole viewing is mainly to impress people, not really useful -- the deadbolt control, OTOH, is highly useful, since I usually have my bike over one shoulder and don't like setting it down to lock/unlock the door. The ability to lock/unlock on proximity (via bluetooth) would be awesome.

EDIT: just realized I'd previewed (instead of posting) a half-hour ago, posted it, then saw quipper8's post... guess we've got some similar notions.

my install is a little better than duct tape and kludge, thanks very much

i also was thinking if i could use a script with the voltage on osb otg and a capacitor and relay and use an electric door strike.

might be possible, never seem to have the time for fun stuff like this though

Holy crud this makes me wish I had an N810!

you can probably get one used on ebay for around $150