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2009-11-25
, 09:16
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Posts: 1,217 |
Thanked: 446 times |
Joined on Oct 2009
@ Bedfordshire, UK
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#2
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Originally Posted by iJanne
iJanne,
...as a computer or a netbook.
I had been posting my experiences in the owners thread (my first impressions here, starting from this page forwards: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=34678&page=21 - go there for detailed notes) but since several threads from disgruntled users started popping up, I guess I need to post my experiences in a separate thread as well - to balance things out. As my experience clearly differs from those.
First, let me tell you that I am an Apple fanboy. Been a long time, always will be one, I guess. I have skipped the iPhone (other than testing), though, due to carrier restrictions, but I have an iPhoneOS running iPod touch as my main music machine (running some other apps too) as well as a bunch of other Apple machinery. I love their design, I love their sense of style and simplicity. I love Steve. They truly make remarkable machines. I write this on a new MacBook Pro.
Nokia, I think, makes good phone hardware, and for a while made the best smartphones out there (and in the 90s I think the best GSM phones overall), but that was past and now is now. N97, which was my previous phone, was OK in many ways - but mostly because Series 60 was so familiar to me and I needed a QWERTY hardware keyboard (a pretty good phone for S60 fan who needs both touch and QWERTY hardware), clearly it was outdated in the software side of things.
Enter N900 and Maemo 5.
First off, let me tell you that by no means does the N900 suck. I love it to bits. But one also should calibrate their expectations. Unlike some say, this is not Nokia's flagship phone. The N97 still carries that title. N900 is still a developer edition and was never meant to catch this much fire, I guess it surprised Nokia too that it did. Maemo is still at least that one release short of the consumer edition. And while I love the N900, I wouldn't recommend it for casual users. It is not for them. Maemo is not for them yet.
Did Nokia drop the ball with the development of S60? Yes they did. They had a great button-based operating system there, but times moved on and Nokia was slow to follow. Therefore Nokia is also somewhate late with Maemo, but at least the big giant is now finally moving in the right direction. This, I think, is the greatest contribution of N900 - alongside it being a one heck of a mobile computer. It is finally moving Nokia in the right direction and it is easy to see that. And we all get to tag along.
Second, about perspective. If you want an iPod/iPhone killer smartphone? Don't buy this one. If you wan't an iPhone killer mobile computer, netbook or whatnot all rolled into one and you embrace the potential of open source and freedom to do as you please on your phone, I don't think there is anything quite like the N900 out there. Not even the Google offerings are as open as this. And the iPhone is simply no match for the N900 when looking at it as a mobile computer or an open netbook.
So, two things: expectations and perspetive.
Let me tackle perspective first and use that age-old iPhone comparison.
- N900 kills the iPhone with screen resolution, the latter is useless
- N900 kills the iPhone with ability to multitask (no more Skype shutting down for something else)
- N900 kills the iPhone with freedom to install whatever you want
- N900 kills the iPhone with hardware keyboard and precision-pointing stylus
- N900 kills the iPhone with all-showing, all-doing browser with Flash
- N900 kills the iPhone with freedom to replace built-in functionality with third-party software
These are things that matter on a mobile computer and iPhone simply can not answer.
Then, the expectations.
Clearly there are a lot of people here who bought the N900 to replace a smartphone, even the iPhone. Actually, I replaced my iPod touch when I noticed how smoothly the N900 works with music too. But just because one can do this, doesn't mean this is something the N900 is fully capable or ready for. I wouldn't recommend it to a non-tech-head friend, in fact, I recommended against it just yesterday. Nokia is releasing this for the developers and tech-heads, the next round of Maemo was meant for the regular consumer. I know this is unlike, say how Apple does things, but this is quite normal from an open-source/community perspective. N900 is there to activate the community and to help mature the platform, not yet the end-result.
What, I personally think - just my opinion, one should expect from the N900:
- Open platform to install whatever, experiment, develop, watch Maemo grow
- Solid Linux with a good browser, but incomplete accompanying software...
- ...which, again, you will see grow and improve in the coming months
- Good hardware with great keyboard, iPhone killing camera and stylus for precision use
- Solid innards with great processor, graphics and memory
- An open, growing, rough-around-the-edges mobile computer that can also work as your phone
If that is not for you, then clearly, it is NOT for you. But approaching from a mobile computing perspective and calibrating ones expectations to see the potential and to be a part of this, very late, but new start for Nokia's smartphones - then it is a good and exciting place to be.
Nokia's roadmap clearly states that Maemo 6 is the consumer release. Agreed, that may be late time-wise, but at least they are moving. Maemo 6, I don't think they can afford to miss, but anyone thinking Maemo 5 would release as a final product simply didn't read the big print in my opinion. This manifests itself in things like missing OVI support, missing features, Maemo is still short of the final Qt user-interface etc. This is all public info! Because of my relatively low expectations, the N900 absolutely blew me away when I got it. It is really, really good for what it is. And actually obsoleted my iPod touch which I wasn't going to obsolete. The music-playing experience in the N900 is great, other than for the playlist management which I don't use.
thanks for such a well written post. Nice to see someone wirting such a balanced and well presented piece; you could teach a few of the professional reviewers a thing or two with this!
I'm also please to see I'm not the only one with the majority of your views including this being a tech-head release. I hope the attention doesn't cause issues for Maemo down the road but I am looking forward to a strong development push - almost feels like the '80s again with the birth of home computers for the masses!
Last edited by Fargus; 2009-11-25 at 09:16. Reason: Typo
| The Following User Says Thank You to Fargus For This Useful Post: | ||
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2009-11-25
, 09:20
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Posts: 100 |
Thanked: 17 times |
Joined on Oct 2009
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#3
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everyone talks about the OS being updated and worked on. has anyone ever pondered the possibility that with their focus on Maemo6, improvements on Maemo5 will be short-lived? Look at Symbian.
| The Following User Says Thank You to archzai For This Useful Post: | ||
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2009-11-25
, 09:23
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Posts: 144 |
Thanked: 266 times |
Joined on Nov 2009
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#4
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I think that is a fair point - and I don't expect Maemo 6 to run on the N900. But Nokia would be smart to use the development base running the N900, so perhaps they will tap into this one more and continue to work on the N900 software offering longer.
Whenever Maemo 6 comes, I'm off to that anyways, that's what we tech-heads do anyway.
But I do think Nokia would be smart to differ from their Symbian and pre-N900 Maemo history and treat the N900 a bit different, because it truly is a torch-bearer for a reboot.
BTW: When I said "watch Maemo grow" in my original post, I also meant watch the community and third-party offerings grow.
Last edited by iJanne; 2009-11-25 at 09:27.
Whenever Maemo 6 comes, I'm off to that anyways, that's what we tech-heads do anyway.
But I do think Nokia would be smart to differ from their Symbian and pre-N900 Maemo history and treat the N900 a bit different, because it truly is a torch-bearer for a reboot.BTW: When I said "watch Maemo grow" in my original post, I also meant watch the community and third-party offerings grow.
Last edited by iJanne; 2009-11-25 at 09:27.
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2009-11-25
, 09:29
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Posts: 12 |
Thanked: 0 times |
Joined on Nov 2009
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#6
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HI there iJanne.
I have been following this device for a while, and am keen to get it to replace my N95 8GB as well as my Zen media player.
One question I have, which has not been answered elsewhere is about video bookmarking.
I watch a lot of video on my Zen on the way to work, and when I go out of the video, and listen to music, then later go back to that same video, the device remebers where I was, and resumes.
Does the N900 do this with the built-in media player? I would be using it to watch Divx, and WMV files.
I am really hoping it has this feature, as having to find my place again in a tv show every time I resume watching would be annoying...
Ta!
I have been following this device for a while, and am keen to get it to replace my N95 8GB as well as my Zen media player.
One question I have, which has not been answered elsewhere is about video bookmarking.
I watch a lot of video on my Zen on the way to work, and when I go out of the video, and listen to music, then later go back to that same video, the device remebers where I was, and resumes.
Does the N900 do this with the built-in media player? I would be using it to watch Divx, and WMV files.
I am really hoping it has this feature, as having to find my place again in a tv show every time I resume watching would be annoying...
Ta!
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2009-11-25
, 09:29
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Posts: 266 |
Thanked: 157 times |
Joined on Oct 2009
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#7
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It's almost guaranteed that official development on maemo5 will be dead within a year or two with the introduction of maemo6. The N900 will likely be the only device running maemo5 unless Nokia introduces the N920 early.
However, Nokia may support the N900 in the future by allowing it to be updatable to maemo6.
However, Nokia may support the N900 in the future by allowing it to be updatable to maemo6.
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2009-11-25
, 09:30
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Posts: 741 |
Thanked: 900 times |
Joined on Nov 2007
@ Auckland NZ
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#8
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I agree fully. I loved my N800 and wanted to use it all the time but I needed a phone so I got an iPhone. I quickly grew sick of the limitations that apple placed on users. Why do I need to jailbreak something to make it work in the way I need it to work?
I love my my N900 mostly for the freedom it gives me. No need to fight with a company to run software of my choosing. I am blown away by the amount of additional apps that are already starting showing up in testing repos.
I love my my N900 mostly for the freedom it gives me. No need to fight with a company to run software of my choosing. I am blown away by the amount of additional apps that are already starting showing up in testing repos.
| The Following User Says Thank You to maluka For This Useful Post: | ||
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2009-11-25
, 09:33
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Posts: 2,173 |
Thanked: 2,678 times |
Joined on Oct 2009
@ Cornwall, UK
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#9
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I think there's pretty good reason to think n900 won't run maemo 6. But despite past experience, I think nokia'll sustain support for n900 for a good few years because it's picked up a larger consumer base than they expected. Added to which, the expected hardware changes for maemo 6 mean some people will actively choose to stay behind.
And in terms of apps, people are being steered towards writing in Qt, which will run equally on both platforms (and hopefully symbian, too).
And in terms of apps, people are being steered towards writing in Qt, which will run equally on both platforms (and hopefully symbian, too).
__________________
Hi! I'm Kathy and I'm a Maemo Greeter! Welcome.
Useful links for newcomers: New members say hello , New users start here, Community subforum, Beginners' wiki page, Maemo5 101, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did you know Meego.com has forums too?
Hi! I'm Kathy and I'm a Maemo Greeter! Welcome.
Useful links for newcomers: New members say hello , New users start here, Community subforum, Beginners' wiki page, Maemo5 101, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did you know Meego.com has forums too?
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2009-11-25
, 09:37
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Posts: 341 |
Thanked: 607 times |
Joined on Dec 2008
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#10
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Originally Posted by Christocar
Yes, it picks up from where you last stopped watching a video.
HI there iJanne.
I have been following this device for a while, and am keen to get it to replace my N95 8GB as well as my Zen media player.
One question I have, which has not been answered elsewhere is about video bookmarking.
I watch a lot of video on my Zen on the way to work, and when I go out of the video, and listen to music, then later go back to that same video, the device remebers where I was, and resumes.
Does the N900 do this with the built-in media player? I would be using it to watch Divx, and WMV files.
I am really hoping it has this feature, as having to find my place again in a tv show every time I resume watching would be annoying...
Ta!
| The Following User Says Thank You to kanishou For This Useful Post: | ||
I had been posting my experiences in the owners thread (my first impressions here, starting from this page forwards: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=34678&page=21 - go there for detailed notes) but since several threads from disgruntled users started popping up, I guess I need to post my experiences in a separate thread as well - to balance things out. As my experience clearly differs from those.
First, let me tell you that I am an Apple fanboy. Been a long time, always will be one, I guess. I have skipped the iPhone (other than testing), though, due to carrier restrictions, but I have an iPhoneOS running iPod touch as my main music machine (running some other apps too) as well as a bunch of other Apple machinery. I love their design, I love their sense of style and simplicity. I love Steve. They truly make remarkable machines. I write this on a new MacBook Pro.
Nokia, I think, makes good phone hardware, and for a while made the best smartphones out there (and in the 90s I think the best GSM phones overall), but that was past and now is now. N97, which was my previous phone, was OK in many ways - but mostly because Series 60 was so familiar to me and I needed a QWERTY hardware keyboard (a pretty good phone for S60 fan who needs both touch and QWERTY hardware), clearly it was outdated in the software side of things.
Enter N900 and Maemo 5.
First off, let me tell you that by no means does the N900 suck. I love it to bits. But one also should calibrate their expectations. Unlike some say, this is not Nokia's flagship phone. The N97 still carries that title. N900 is still a developer edition and was never meant to catch this much fire, I guess it surprised Nokia too that it did. Maemo is still at least that one release short of the consumer edition. And while I love the N900, I wouldn't recommend it for casual users. It is not for them. Maemo is not for them yet.
Did Nokia drop the ball with the development of S60? Yes they did. They had a great button-based operating system there, but times moved on and Nokia was slow to follow. Therefore Nokia is also somewhate late with Maemo, but at least the big giant is now finally moving in the right direction. This, I think, is the greatest contribution of N900 - alongside it being a one heck of a mobile computer. It is finally moving Nokia in the right direction and it is easy to see that. And we all get to tag along.
Second, about perspective. If you want an iPod/iPhone killer smartphone? Don't buy this one. If you wan't an iPhone killer mobile computer, netbook or whatnot all rolled into one and you embrace the potential of open source and freedom to do as you please on your phone, I don't think there is anything quite like the N900 out there. Not even the Google offerings are as open as this. And the iPhone is simply no match for the N900 when looking at it as a mobile computer or an open netbook.
So, two things: expectations and perspetive.
Let me tackle perspective first and use that age-old iPhone comparison.
- N900 kills the iPhone with screen resolution, the latter is useless
- N900 kills the iPhone with ability to multitask (no more Skype shutting down for something else)
- N900 kills the iPhone with freedom to install whatever you want
- N900 kills the iPhone with hardware keyboard and precision-pointing stylus
- N900 kills the iPhone with all-showing, all-doing browser with Flash
- N900 kills the iPhone with freedom to replace built-in functionality with third-party software
These are things that matter on a mobile computer and iPhone simply can not answer.
Then, the expectations.
Clearly there are a lot of people here who bought the N900 to replace a smartphone, even the iPhone. Actually, I replaced my iPod touch when I noticed how smoothly the N900 works with music too. But just because one can do this, doesn't mean this is something the N900 is fully capable or ready for. I wouldn't recommend it to a non-tech-head friend, in fact, I recommended against it just yesterday. Nokia is releasing this for the developers and tech-heads, the next round of Maemo was meant for the regular consumer. I know this is unlike, say how Apple does things, but this is quite normal from an open-source/community perspective. N900 is there to activate the community and to help mature the platform, not yet the end-result.
What, I personally think - just my opinion, one should expect from the N900:
- Open platform to install whatever, experiment, develop, watch Maemo grow
- Solid Linux with a good browser, but incomplete accompanying software...
- ...which, again, you will see grow and improve in the coming months
- Good hardware with great keyboard, iPhone killing camera and stylus for precision use
- Solid innards with great processor, graphics and memory
- An open, growing, rough-around-the-edges mobile computer that can also work as your phone
If that is not for you, then clearly, it is NOT for you. But approaching from a mobile computing perspective and calibrating ones expectations to see the potential and to be a part of this, very late, but new start for Nokia's smartphones - then it is a good and exciting place to be.
Nokia's roadmap clearly states that Maemo 6 is the consumer release. Agreed, that may be late time-wise, but at least they are moving. Maemo 6, I don't think they can afford to miss, but anyone thinking Maemo 5 would release as a final product simply didn't read the big print in my opinion. This manifests itself in things like missing OVI support, missing features, Maemo is still short of the final Qt user-interface etc. This is all public info! Because of my relatively low expectations, the N900 absolutely blew me away when I got it. It is really, really good for what it is. And actually obsoleted my iPod touch which I wasn't going to obsolete. The music-playing experience in the N900 is great, other than for the playlist management which I don't use.