Makes me think about what Nokia did with the 6230 and 6230i. Usually phones with a letter at the end are the exact same but with an added feature or a version of the same phone released in a different territory. Not so with the 6230i which doesn't even share the same resolution and keymap.

^ Bingo.

Give that man (geneven) a prize! What do we have, Johnny? ...oh, really? Apple Newtons. Huh.

At least for the N-series, "i" designates Internet. The i devices tend to have enhanced web-based features.

It's official: I hate you.

Most telling quote is:

Hmm...perhaps the N770 price-dump is a factor? I'd rather he break that down by model.

And at least in the N80's case it was possible to "upgrade" to an i version by using cracked copies of the Phoenix software found all over the intarwebs.
Then I think Nokia just released it into their Phone Updater application a few months later when they realized the backlash was hurting their PR efforts.

yep, or i should say, i hope so. i imagine those silly people who like to go camping or boating would need a phone. Or, maybe they could just plug in a pc card for their N900 when getting back to nature....

Keep in mind Nokia has not ruled out eventual phone functionality...

That's nice, but make it more of a secondary thing where it can be easily used WITHOUT a SIM chip.
I think they've already gotten that down pat since their new S60 v3 phones don't require a SIM chip to function like their old S60v2 phones did.
And if you're going to throw in possible future phone support then it better damn well support 850/1900/2100 and whatever band T-Mobile USA uses.
Of course, there's probably a patent minefield to maneuver through on that.
But since Wi-Max provides comparable speeds without the GSM hassles, then they better ramp up their VoIP efforts within the new Ovi services strategy.
They want to the be an "internet company" now? Fine. But they better have a plan NOW for providing VoIP services and integrating that in future devices.
They can do it now and pretty much all the current wi-fi & VoIP-enabled will be able to sign on and use it. Include video chat on the phones/devices themselves! Make it cheaper, more open, and easier to use than Skype and they'll have a nice cash cow.

...you're warming up your jimmy-kicking boot, aren't you?

Hells yes!

I'm used to having think 20 steps ahead due to just having the network up and running in the middle of nowhere was never enough for my employer.
He wanted VoIP, servers, IA devices, the whole nine yards up and running the second the network came online.