No kidding. I don't have an unlimited amount of time to wait for my device to charge, so having it go as quickly as is safely possible is a good thing.

I'm sure that through some electronic wizardry, the plug could automatically route additional current to the battery, and achieve similar charging times. I know very little of electronics, but this doesn't seem far fetched.

In any case, using one type of plug is far more attractive than using multiple connectors. Ideally, the unit would have two micro-USBs that could be used to:

1) charge the device
2) connect to other USB 2.0 compliant devices
3) connect headphones (via a special dongle)
4) attach to an external display (via a special device)

The idea of having many 'specialized' ports (if indeed unnecessary) is not attractive.


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

Here's one thing that I don't think has been mentioned, but I would like to see changed with the N900: The 'Internet Tablet' brand!!!!

I 'get it'. I understand the concept, the usefulness, and how these devices differ from cellular phones, or laptops. I also appreciate that there is *some* brand differentiating the 'internet tablets' from other devices. The problem is in the brand collision with other 'tablets' especially considering that they too can surf the internet.

I think the categorical branding for the Nxxx's has made them confusing to the consumer. The 'tablet' name for devices was coined a long time ago. It was used with the old Microsoft 'tablet', is currently being used with the new Dell multi-touch 'tablet', and is rumored with the Apple's 'tablet' device. Although the Nxxx is similar in functionality with the larger tablets, the differing price, size, and performance, places them in a completely different category of device, which the name does not effectively do.

I think that Nokia has to re-think the branding of the 'internet tablet' device category if it is to maximize the systems potential. I would like to see this new brand representing the N900.

As a fun aside: any ideas?


}:^)~
YARR!

Capitoneous Corrupticus

Gotta agree with the Captain here. I don't mind the whole Nxxx business, but everything else needs a good, marketable name. Everyone thought "iPod" was stupid, but damnit it was memorable and when you said it people didn't think you were talking about something else. ("Tablet - oh you mean a Tablet PC?")

I mean -- it's abbreviation is IT and it's system is OS 2008. How much more generic could it be?

let's call it nWeb

Yes, I've also been a bit bothered by 'internet tablet'. It isn't entirely clear what it means. In many countries 'tablet' is just another name for 'pill', it sounds like you're on medication for internet addiction! (Now maybe there's a twisted meaning right there.. ) I've tried to think of some better name myself but I'm not a word-person. So far I can only think of Intel's variant, which is MID: Mobile Internet Device. I for one would be fine with something better than that too.

Not to put a damper on the N810 sale-a-bration...

It looks as though Nokia might be watching. In the very least, they seem to be thinking along the same lines as many in this forum. Check out this latest patent application courtesy of Gizmodo:



Could this be the N900?

1) The screen and keyboard's size, proportion, and orientation seems to suggest tablet.

2) The rotatable "arm" could hold a camera that could be aimed to the outward for photos or inward for video conference (this is my speculation).

3) It seems as if the dpad can once again be placed on the device front, and be accessed even when open. Perhaps we'll see multi-purpose buttons, that can be game like on the front.

4) The screen is tiltable. Though the angle isn't much from the illustrations, does this suggest the kickstand is getting the boot?

This is just a patent diagram, so all information is scarce; there is no mention of model or specs. You can get to the original article by clicking here.

Now if they'd only do something about the branding! I completely agree with namtastic, Internet Tablet is far to generic and confusing. I like Kozzi and TA-T3's N-Web and MID names. Might I also suggest "Walk-Around-Web" or WAW?


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

Here's a link to the patent filing:

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...DN/20070259702

It looks as though I was correct about the camera!



}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

Quoted from a comment in Gizmodo article about the above patent, anyone here have any idea if this "might" be true ? 1 month for N810 or 6 months for N8xx with mobilephone's functions

Actually, it looks to me like the dpad is on the side, not the front. Not that I'm complaining -- it'd be interesting to get used to it being in that location, though. Doesn't really fit with the way I hold my N800 (index finger is on the +/- key, thumb on the dpad, putting the very base of my index finger right about where that dpad is), but I'd give it a try. I wonder if I could learn to use that base of my index finger to impart gestures on the dpad...

I like how it handles the camera.

I wonder if that drawing has to fully represent the keypad... as I don't see things like an enter key on it.

Still, I like the layout (I should, it basically conforms to stuff I asked-for/mocked-up in a "screen slides only and screen tilts instead of a kickstand" type form factor; the drawing in the right part of the image looks almost identical to one of my mock-ups). I wonder what the maximum tilt angle is ... like if you can tilt it up to almost 90 degrees.