I'm thinking about buying the n810 on ebay...it looks really fun. There are a couple of things I can't seem to get answered through the multiplicity of reviews out there.

1) What WILL the GPS that comes with it do. Or what will it not do? What benefit does paying for the upgrade offer?

2) Are there any stores that actually carry this device? I would like to feel out the keys before I spend several hundred on it.

3) This is the most important question: In terms of games, what am I limited to? Am I limited specifically to the games for the Maemo version of linux? Any game that can be run on linux? Any game that is java based? I really have no idea and this is crucial to my decision to get this.

I would please appreciate anyone's help in answering these questions... Thanks.

Hi,

Not an expert, I've just had the N810 since Christmas but here's my take on those questions since it doesn't look like you're getting responses:

1) The Map software that comes with it will show and track your position on a map. The device is sent with maps to match your region (mine had Scandinavia, yours probably the US then) but I think you can download the rest of the maps if traveling. What it will NOT do is give you driving instructions. For this to work in the Nokia program, you have to buy an add-on product that I don't even think is available yet. Should be something like 100 euros/dollars. OR you can skip the Nokia program and use the free Maemo-mapper program that hooks up to online maps (Google Maps and some other options) and will give you driving directions (including a robot voice that says "turn left" etc). I'm pretty happy with Maemo-Mapper but I have to say it is not the easiest program to use and the fact that you need to be online to get instructions and download maps pretty much means that you have to have a way of connecting the N810 to the net while on the go at least for getting the initial route (if you have maps pre-downloaded, I thnk that's all it takes, you can disconnect then). I have it hooked up to my cellphone in my car. I think Maemo-Mapper is a great software and won't be buying the 100 euro add-on program but I have to say it's a little "rough on the edges". So if you're looking for polished, consumer-type map software, the add-on for the Nokia could be the one for you.

2) You're probably in the US, so no idea. Verkkokauppa.com in Helsinki has it =)

3) Basically, if gaming is very important to you and you're looking for something that does it well, this is NOT your device. It comes with some simple games and since it's basically just a linux computer, there's ways to install arcade and nintendo emulators and even an emulator for Lucasarts old adventure games but this is not a gaming device comparable to a PSP or anything like that. It doesn't have a powerful graphics chip to do anything fancy for games - it's a computer that has some games ported to it, no original store-sold games have been made for the Tablets and probably never will be. And Java games...don't know about that, really, but I would imagine no. Flash works great, but I don't think it even runs java. Give me a web address to a java game you play and I'll give it a try but my guess is no.

Seriously: do not buy this device for playing games. And before someone jumps down my throat for dissing it as a gaming device, I'll just say that I have played stuff like original Mario Brothers and some MAME games on it, and it's fun, taking this thing out of my pocket and putting on Track and Field for my friends is a blast...but it has that unfinished feel to it still even though the people making these emulators have done a great job. The fact remains the controls are not very optimal (no dedicated gaming keys) and, well, the games are a nice bonus feature but certainly not a reason to get it. I love my N810 and I keep finding new ways of using it, but gaming is not something I recommend it for.

Hope this helps!

the only brick and mortar stores that i know of that have it , are the nokia stores in chicago and new york (i live in central indiana and drove all the way to chicago to get one.

1) Map app allows you to view your current location but no routing. Upgrading it lets you use routing to direct you to locations.

2) Keys are nice imo. They are very small so don't expect to write War and Peace on the device; but certainly usable. The tactile feel isn't made for games so don't expect to use WASD style controls anywhere.

3) Forget about gaming on the device FOR NOW. Java isn't yet available for the device (well..it is kindof, just...don't ask...it's not what you think it is ) Flash games do work as long as they aren't too graphically intensive [less than 4MB say.] The device has no 3D acceleration (YET!) and relies solely on a framebuffer with no hardware acceleration.

Some of us are working on N800 specific titles but don't expect arcade gaming on the go. I think it's perfectly suited to classic titles, cards, puzzles, adventure, RPGs, and casual genres.

For games - I suggest the cheaper Nintendo DS or GP2X and if you don'tmind the battery life - the PSP [for emulators especially!]

Java is available thanks to the phoneME project.
But I don't now the status of the port of phoneME advanced (JavaME/CDC1.1/FP1.1) for N810. I have asked about it here: http://forums.java.net/jive/thread.j...35209&tstart=0