Same here. I was dissapointed to see the 3 service modem they introduced was just a USB device, rather than bluetooth. Unfortunately the 770 doesn't have a useful one of those.
Maybe I should go for one of those solid state asus linux machines ?

Not true - 3 have introduced a £10/month/1GB USB Mobile Broadband service, but they have also introduced a £10/month/1GB laptop add-on for handsets (last but one item listed - the last being £15/month/3GB laptop data access for handsets).

At the moment it's a toss up whether I switch to 3 (voice+£10/month data) or T-Mobile (voice + £7.50/month data [due to a special offer £5/month reduction]) - the only issue right now is which network offers the N95 8GB first!

Excelent - thanks, I hadn't spotted that one. Last time I looked I am sure it was closer to £30!
My choice is fairly clear as I have been with 3 for a year and got a £10/month loyalty reduction, so I got a new n73 + 750 mins/ 500 text/ 512Mb data/ 50 min video for £20/month on 12 month contract, and I sold the previous n73 for £130 on ebay, so it works out even better!

I'm not sure why the main point is being missed.

I responded specifically to Milhouse's post about IT guys dismissing the N800 and drooling over the iPhone. My point is that the N800 can be used in ways to support IT personnel that the iPhone can't. If that's not clear, well, I'm not sure how to fix it...

I never once said that, Mil. it's not even implied.

Again: my point was highly specific to your tale of IT guys blowing off the N800 and going nuts over the iPhone. Personally I think the issues we're going over again have been done to death, and many of the anti-N800 arguments are beyond disingenuous.

It's funny how some people think the N800 should be exactly like the later-released iPhone or else it's hyperbolically dismissed as useless. And yet, interestingly enough, a parallel situation has existed for years without problems for the non-Apple product: Mac vs PCs. Mac fans arrogantly deride Windows (in some ways rightfully so) and preach as if Windows should just die. And yet-- which OS, warts and all, enjoys the lion's share of the market?

I rest my case.

In the context of this discussion, the iPhone is the Mac and the N800 is the PC with a more conventional OS. Is the baby Mac glossier, prettier, quicker and cooler? Yep. So is its elder, bigger sibling. Has the Mac defeated the uglier, clumsier, uncool PC with Windows? Not even close. Beta was also superior to VHS. So what happened to it? In the end, didn't consumers choose vanilla over exotic chocolate?

Karel made a poignant observation that is lost in the Apple-worshipping noise here. At the end of the day, power-of-use will trump ease-of-use. Open will beat closed. Apple produces a tiny spread of SKUs compared to its new competitors and they have long shown that they intend to keep their systems as proprietary as possible. So how much of the global computing market has that philosophy allowed them to own? Is Gates crying "uncle" to Jobs yet?

Again, I rest my case.

Just watch.

True, you didn't. But then who are Nokia targetting with the current NIT? It's certainly not my homemaker Mum, my postman brother, my 13 year old kid brother, or my executive wife. It's simply not appealing to the general public, only to technically minded people.

As for the Mac/PC comparison, I'll just say this:

• One device is walking off the shelves, the other is not.
• One device is gorgeous to look at and use, the other is not.
• One device is closed water-tight, the other is not.
• One device receives rave reviews, the other is panned.

Given the above, I'm not so sure that open does beat closed, or that power-of-use beats ease-of-use, or vanilla beats exotic chocolate. None of that *REALLY* matters in the cold light of day.

The general public are saying you're wrong, and I'm with them. The numbers don't lie.

And if Nokia release the next device with similar software and UI to that which we have today, I dread to think how harsh the reviews for the new device will be because every reviewer will, to a man, compare it to the iPhone. It's inevitable, it will happen - I'll put money on it. And I'm Scottish.

Unfortunately though, I'll still buy the new Nokia N-whatever-it-is. Sigh...

I know you say wait, to have patience, but until I see evidence of something that comes close to (or improves on) that offered by Apple, and addresses the shortcomings of the current firmware (in EVERY area - which is a big ask) I'll have trouble allaying my fears for the future of these lovely Nokia devices! I'm sure Nokia will continue to pump more money into this little research project, however the next device has to be seen to compete with Apple products (the new market leader in mobile computing/web surfing based on press coverage and sheer lust factor) or the existing market will dwindle yet further, until there is only Texrat left. And maybe me, but probably not.

You're still assuming the past controls the future, Mil, and that the status quo won't change.

So far pretty much every person taking such a stance on just about anything winds up wrong sooner or later.

Why compare the I"PHONE" to an InternetTablet which is clearly not a phone. Just an addition to your phone. They can compare the next big Nokia N Series phone to the IPhone.

Oh and in saying Mac vs PC you mean Mac vs Windows right? (I'm a Linux-only user.) There is some great stuff happening in KDE4. And there are nice looking PCs/laptops too. Sony makes some sweet laptops.

The IT's GUI will improve. Actually I don't think there is much to improve. I think they should focus on their apps. Make them more solid. Adding some eyecandy in there gtkengine would be nice but I can live without moving stuff. (Btw i think the Ipod touch's cover-fold-browse thing is ridiculous. UKMP's cover browser is much better.)

Really? I think there is. Some more basic thought given to the function of a small screen and operating with a stylus.
The keyboard needs a handedness setting somewhere (the amount of times I select a word from the list because I use the space bar on the left), menus don't need a scroll option on the side you don't need to scroll.
The widgets shouldn't emulate a linux desktop, but should be thought about in the context of what they are there for

not too fussed about eye-candy. Certainly not for its own sake, only if it helps things.

Well, I love the coverflow view if that is what you mean, it makes it great to pick an album (and no, it wasn't written by apple). As to whether UKMPs cover browser is better I will take your word for it, as I have never managed to see a cover in there, and as everytime I used it I had to reset my 770, I don't use the 770 for (non-internet) music.

No, I don't really think that nokia should put too much effort in trying to be a great music player, they should put the effort in trying to be a good internet tablet, and improve the internet experience.

I still think the whole iPod/nokia thing is a bit odd. I have both and am happy with both.

I attached an image of how ukmp looks on my N800. Of course kinetic scrolling if you have more albums than the screen is big.

About the keyboard. I'm actually ok with it. I can type really fast on it. (I only use the thumbkeyboard) I never use the word completion feature. But of course I'm not everyone and Nokia could probably improve there.

About the stylus. I almost never use it. Only if I have to click something really tiny in the webbrowser.

About the widgets and stuff. Sometimes kinetic scrolling would be nice (RSS and webbrowser) I hope Nokia does this soon. I'm not 100% satisfied with the UI. But i'm ok with it. The only major showstopper is a missing organizer by Nokia. But they are developing something.