Received my N810 earlier in the week and have had a bit of quality time to use it and set it up the way I want, so here's a couple of observations for anyone that's just purchased or would like another opinion.

First thing I did was create a virtual memory space of 128MB. In my case, bad idea. Must be that My Kingston 4GB is too slow because it slowed down my browser speed. Speaking of browser speed, I couldn't figure out why web pages were rendering so slow because I've got a fast enough wi-fi connection. Turns out the fit width to view setting was the reason. After unchecking that, I'm pretty happy with the browser speed considering the battery life I'm getting and that's with the unit always on standby ( Getting used to not having to turn it off ). 10 days on standby......yikes!!

For those that love reading, I think FBreader with page layout in book form on the Nokia has been brilliant for me. Used Convert Doc and doc reader to turn all my pdf/html/txt files into pdb books which were all perfectly organized and readable in FBreader and the multifunction buttons on the Nokia for next and back page works great for book reading ( coming from a handspring treo, this is a revelation in itself ).

I also found Allok's Ipod (forgive me) to video converter perfect for all my video conversions creating stuttering free motion on the N810 and the ability to boost the volume of the files helps which is an area I think the Nokia is lacking ( using creative ep630 buds ); it doesn't go loud enough.

As for the overall experience, I really can't complain. I know it was pretty pricey, but for all this technology in a compact package, solidly built and pretty user friendly, I'd say it's a winner.

My beefs are minor....Like I said before, would like more volume out of the speakers and the headphone jack. Would have liked the e-mail program to work right out of the box, but crashed on a imap account and couldn't get it to start again without an error showing up. Tried Claws, but also had error problems. Modest beta solved all my problems. Wish I could arrange Bookmarks in the browser exactly as I want them laid out ( not just dragging and dropping). Wish I could arrange the program layout on the menu exactly how I want it. Wish the browsing was just a bit faster, but I know it's a tradeoff between portability and battery life. Would like finger scrolling in webpages to be more user friendly like the Ipod touch / phone, but that could be a possibility with a future software upgrade and last but not least, since I'm a windows user and linux is like a foreign language to me ( no fault of linux, but requires a bit of education ); I wish the installation of software was a little bit easier as I've tried to install some software then hit a brick wall. Still trying to get Quake 1 on the Nokia as well as Quake's 2 expansion packs installed. Need to try to follow directions more closely.

So, that's it. If you are thinking about purchasing the Nokia N810 and are willing to deal with a few quirps and a little bit of learning especially if you are a new linux user, then I think you'll be happy with the N810. The size of it blew me away and the thought of future software development makes me drool at the possibilities.

My friend, I have owned 4 HP handheld devices. I have nothing against MicroSoft. But believe me, once you have used the n810 you will view the various Windows Mobile platforms as what they are -- amateurish, clunky, and dysfunctional. I have now owned my device for two days, and I like it more every time I turn it on. The Garnet emulator is fabulous. I was able to get a grandmaster-strength chess program on the thing and it works like a charm. I'm also investigating various alternatives for office productivity.

To answer a previous poster as to why Nokia (or anyone else) might consider developing software for this device: First of all they do not necessarily need to give it away. I would pay for something that gave me MS word compatibility, as I think many owners would. Second, even if they have to give it away, they'd sell tens of thousands more of these devices.

The n810 is SO close to being a fully functional every-day portable computer. In my opinion, a device like this could be a paradigm-changer. For example, I just downloaded a Linux distro and intend to install it on one of my computers. Who knows where that will lead?

Country: USA
Purchased From: Dell
Purchase/Arrival Date: 12/7/07/1/14/08

Likes:

Display is awesome hard to think it would be better than my N770, Keyboard -if it was a little more functional would be as great as the display, Most functions are faster such as transferring files and when I ssh into it, it really moves

Dislikes:

Camera is poor - very grainy, GPS (tomtom on my N82 shines as well as mobile Gmaps), Web still w-a-y to s-l-o-w, no video conference, internal 2GB memory, costs

Favorite Apps:

canola
gizmo
load-applet
Midnight Commander
openssh
skype
Google-mail-cal-grandcentral


Overall I am more than happy with the 810. It feels way snappier than my 770 (2007HE). As a Video/Music/e-mail/Linux, device the best, everything else is a work-in-progess.

Country: USA
Purchased from (and returned to): Buy.com
Arrival date: 2008-01-16
Likes: The web browser; the hardware as a whole
Dislikes: Pretty much everything else.

I was very excited to get my hands on a n810. I have been virtually drooling over them since I first read about them last autumn, and mine finally arrived last week.

Unfortunately, not only does it not do what I have using my Palm for for the better part of a decade, it also does not do what I would want a Linux handheld to do.

No desktop sync, no decent PIM apps, and the Garnet VM is, shall we say, not a replacement for a real Palm (not even close). So it won’t replace my Palm T5.

Meanwhile, I can’t install or compile the vast majority of Linux applications, including Shadow Plan, OpenOffice, and a host of others. So it won’t take the place of a laptop, even for such a basic task as working on a report while riding the train to work.

What it does do very well is surf the web. If you happen to be standing near a WiFi hotspot. Whee.

I am returning mine. Maybe some day there will be a Linux handheld that can replace my Palm T5, but the Nokia n810 is not it.

What I do not understand is why this is so difficult to accomplish. PIMs are not new. Desktop sync is not new. Palm has been doing it for years. We have better hardware, faster processors, higher-resolution screens, better batteries, more memory than anyone has ever had before. So what’s the obstacle? Where is the Linux based Palm-killer? Not even “killer” — merely “replacement”. Where is it? Where?

So I am sending the Nokia n810 back, and contemplating ordering a Palm TX. The TX would have a slightly faster Internet connection than my T5 (when I am near a hotspot), and thus would be able to *more* than replace the Nokia n810, which costs almost twice as much as the TX.

Sadly, it is neither one.

I agree with everything you say but am just selling my TX in favour of the N810.It's true that the Palm does things the 810 doesn't but it's also true vice-versa. I've just eBayed a refrigerator and ordered a couple of books from Amazon during the ads on TV. On the 810, no sweat. No fun and next to impossible on the TX. OTOH, you have to kludge things a bit to get the PIM functions on the 810.
At the moment, software development for the Nokia is left to enthusiasts - more power to them - but I think that entrepreneurs will soon offer wares as well. Witness Wayfinder.
The bottom line for me is that Linux and the IT have a future and the Palm doesn't.
I've just tapped this out on my 810 while it plays blues web internet radio to me and picks up email from a mate working in the US. That's why I bought it.
You pay your money and make your choice but to criticize Palm for not being Nokia or Nokia for not being Palm is like criticizing a BMW for not being a Mercedes.
Given your needs, Blackmoor, I'd buy a TX, That's OK isn't it?

Or, as many of us know, if you're tethered to a bluetooth phone and have a data plan. Not uncommon these days.

It's unfortunate you were disappointed with the N810... but it isn't advertised as a Palm substitute, and the lack of PIM features are well covered by reviewers and posters here. That should not have been a surprise.

lol!! That's not what the 810 was designed for. If you need to work on your reports on the way to work, you should ask your employer to buy you a laptop. Why would you even use a device you spent you own $$ on for your work.

All in all a nice device. Good looking, and the size reduction, albeit modest (compared to 770, not N800) still makes a big difference in pocketability. Nice screen, and OS2008 is shiny-shiny.

The full-screen and zoom buttons are back to sanity at last, after the sorry N800 episode : well separated, logically placed and accessible. Thank heavens. I was initially dubious about the "lock" button, but find myself getting used to it, and liking it.

The jury is still out on the keyboard, not enough practice. Feels very stiff, but with convenient layout (especially for deranged languages like French). D-pad is awkward. Guess I'll get used to it too.

As everybody else mentioned, not having the d-pad at the side of the screen (or at least some sort of vertical scrolling device) is a real regression. Also, needing the menu in a full-screen app means pulling out the slider, or else de-zoom, click menu, then re-zoom...

Now the real bummer : the "designer" who decided (on top of relocating the Menu button) to swap the positions of the Home and Escape buttons, should definitely be shot. This silly move means that long-time users of the 770 and/or N800 will tend to short-press or long-press the lower one (previously Home) to switch apps or reach the home screen - and actually go back one page in the browser, or close it altogether. And vice versa, of course. Not to mention they're so stiff as to be unusable. And there was much rejoicing... let that evil subgenius never cross my path ! (have I mentioned that I'm of the "hardware-key" sort ? :-)

There have been (unverified) rumours that cables with the new USB plug have been sighted just inside the orbit of Saturn, incoming. They probably will be widely available just before the N900 ships this Christmas, introducing the (presently draft) USB "nano" standard. There are also those who prophetize that there will be two sorts of cables that plug into that "micro" port, looking the same but with different results. Not safe for use in nuclear facilities, of course.

Lastly : miniSD - 'nuff said. I've seen el-cheapo, China-made toddler toys with a better build than that silly trap door that you can never fully open nor close (mine insists on sticking out a fraction of a millimeter whatever I do, snagging the stand every time I fold it back...).

Okay folks... I'm sure you can find more "creative ideas" to balance the actual innovations in the next model, irritate us and make us buy the one after that... so bring on stages 4 and 5, we're ready !!

Oh, and don't forget OS2008HE for good old 770, huh ? :-)

I have had my N810 for a few days now. I had OS2008 installed on my N800 and like it very much but it is nearly identical on the N810 so that is not where the differences are. Here are my first impressions of the differences from the N800:

Keyboard: It is fairly comfortable. I found that using the stand as a gripping aid made it moreso. I did turn on the on screen keyboard though since sometimes that is still handier.

GPS: I had heard of the complaints regarding the slowness of GPS lock before I got the N810. I also had an external BT GPS for my N800. My opinion is that the N810 is adequate as it will connect (eventually) while sitting in the console of my vehicle. It is much slower to get a fix than my iBlue external GPS. This is partially because it is slower and also you have limited ability to position the antenna closer to the window.

Internal Fixed 2G Flash Drive: I vastly prefer the option to replace that internal card that the N800 offered. I got bitten by the memory card corruption bug. It did get cleared up with a reformatting of the memory but had there been a more serious problem, it would have been a much bigger deal to troubleshoot and repair. I can understand the need of having a more permanent storage space though and might lead to it official use as program installation space which would really open up possibilities.

USB OTG: I am excited about the ability of the N810 to auto-sense whether it should be a host or a client based on the type of OTG cable end plugged into it. I haven't had the opportunity to try it out yet though. Since this seems like a rather young standard, I am having a heck of a time sourcing some off the shelf components for doing so. I think I have found something but I will report back once I get my hands on them. Otherwise, it is cable hacking and soldering for me ... which I would like to avoid since my soldering skills are ... ummm ... nominal.

Stylus: I liked the fatter one from the N800 more. They seemed to go back to the very thin style of the 770.

Camera: The swivel ability of the N800 was pretty handy but it always seemed a bit flimsy to me. The new fix camera certainly decreases the convenience of taking pictures with the tablet but it does seem more mechanically robust. Maybe I will make a little clip-on periscope :]

Audio: The N800 had much better sound without a doubt. The bass response on the N810 is very much diminished ... even when setting it down on a surface. I did discover the the sound was a whole lot better when listened to from behind the unit while it was propped up on its stand. When listened to this way, there is not a huge difference between the two.

Back cover: The back cover of the N810 doesn't rattle like the N800's does. The battery is also not a chore to pry out of the back like the N800's was.

Buttons: The top edge buttons are much more functional now. It is great that Nokia reverted back to the 770 style buttons as it makes for way less stray button presses. Not so thrilled about losing the D-pad on the front face without opening the keyboard. The new D-pad is nice though. I guess I would choose the slight inconvenience and occasional UI issues of the hidden D-pad over a larger unit. The look and feel of the two front face buttons is not all that great. I am still trying to determine if my unit was manufactured incorrectly as the right-most edge of the buttons seem to be trapped under the front surface of the tablet. Since those buttons seem to work properly it is probably by design but it makes those buttons look and feel very weird.

Light sensor: A very good idea in theory. In practice, it has a few flaws. The positioning on the sensor is right where I seem to always want to rest my thumb ... making things go rather dim until I realize why and move it to a more awkward place. It is also slow to react. It takes a few seconds to take a new reading and readjust the brightness. A small complaint though.

Screen: The screen colour and texture looks very much the same as the N800. The touchscreen in quite responsive ... maybe even too much so sometimes but I am not going to complain about that. The brightness is fantastic. Also the trans-reflective nature of it makes the N810 much more useful in broad daylight than the N800. The N800 was pretty much useless in direct sun unless you made a little dark cave for it with your arm in order to find the brightness applet ... and people would look at you funny ... and even then it was a challenge to use without finding some shade. Definitely a huge improvement.

FMRadio: I didn't use it much as I found that having to have the headphones plugged in to use it was inconvenient so I don't miss it. Early reports of the N810 indicated that there would be an FM transmitter included but those seemed to go away and there is nothing indicating that it made it into the final hardware. It would be nice if it was in there though and show up as an easter egg like the N800's radio did. Doubtful.

Some repetition of the comments of others but that is the summary of all of my first impressions. Sorry for the post length.