4. Target Audience: Power User
Nokia's new N900 tablet-like smart phone runs the Linux-based Maemo OS and plays Flash video. It's got it all, but can it give the competition a run for its money?
Nokia proves that there is a middle ground between smart phones and netbooks, one that we may someday consider mainstream. The N900 is the closest we’ve ever seen to that vision, and because we were simultaneously testing netbooks while testing the N900, we found ourselves using the N900 more and the netbooks less because portability trumped functionality.
That’s not to say phones like the Palm Pre, iPhone 3GS, Motorola Droid, or others don’t compete at this level, because they most certainly do. The iPhone won’t replace laptops and netbooks because it lacks a physical keyboard, and other devices simply don’t have the available applications or functions that the N900 has. And right now, very few phones support Flash and Java.
Then again, not everyone needs a netbook replacement. Heck, not many of us need netbooks at all, and we enjoy our smart phones just fine. The N900 is not for them. It’s meant for power users who want built-in functionality, the ability to do everything from a browser. These people want a do-anything device that fits in the pocket.
And that’s what it is. The N900 is the do-anything device—it is a handset that lets you surf the Web as easily as you do on your laptop. It makes phone calls over your cell provider or through Skype. It’s open source, so there are no enforced limitations to the applications that are available. It both plays and streams all types of media, and plugs into your TV. It’s a powerful piece of machinery. It’s the best compromise between laptop and phone we’ve seen.
But the public demands simplicity, which is partly why the iPhone is so popular. The other reason the iPhone has gained market share is because it easily syncs email, contacts, calendars, and media. The N900 is old-school in this fashion. You can sync media with your PC, but everything else has to be done manually.
Because of the limited number of available applications, the N900 isn’t recommended for an average consumer. The device is elegantly designed, but it doesn’t have that Apple finesse, or Android’s connectivity. What it does have is potential, which is largely untapped because the phone and OS are both so new. It needs a team of power users to make that potential turn into a go-to platform.
The N900 offers features that smart phones should have been offering for years, but haven’t. We should have Flash- and Java-capable browsers. We should have excellent cameras with quality HD recording. We should have simple menu navigation without jumping through hoops. And platforms should be open, or at least more open, so any phone can do what the N900 does natively.
Nokia’s N900 is a good, strong contender in today’s smart phone war, even if it’s expensive at $569 and lacks a pre-existing application ecosystem. It’s the kind of phone our friends at Tom’s Hardware would use daily, the kind you expect to see your IT guy walk around with. But until it can catch up to today’s devices with synchronization and apps, it will remain out of the hands of the smart phone-toting masses.
Have an N900 of your own? Tweet us about it!
- 1. First Look
- 2. Hardware: Don’t Call Me A Phone
- 3. Software: Finding Maemo
- 4. Target Audience: Power User
Don't forget to mention the biggest drawback of the N900:
It uses GSM, which has been cracked.
http://www.grc.com/sn/sn-213.pdf
This is a real interesting device, I have an N95 and am definitely interested in upgrading to this when my current phone dies, or whatever is next available with Maemo after N900.
GSM has been cracked. So what? Anyone thinking that stuff going out over the airwaves has any privacy is cracked.
GSM has been cracked. So what? Anyone thinking that stuff going out over the airwaves has any privacy is cracked.
Nothing is totally secure, but we all expect a certain amount of security when we transmit personal data, which is why we have SSL and TLS, and why cell phones encrypt their transmissions. Unfortunately, GSM can now be cracked with $1000 of computer hardware and Open Source software.
They need to fix the bugs on my xpressmusic 5800 first.. I have all kinds of quirky issues with my phone and the last four Nokia phones for that matter..
$569 is expensive? The iphone is over $1000.
LeJay, where are you from that the iPhone costs $1000? It's $200/$300 with a new service plan, or $500/$600 unlocked.
The N900 supports sync with external sxources - google mail, facebook etc. Please see hermes app.
I wonder why would I pick this one over Samsung's WinMobile based Omnia with much better screen.
> This Linux-based operating system, backed by Intel, has been specially designed for the N900 and is, oddly, remarkable.
This is wrong information. N900 does not run on Intel chipset, but rather it uses ARM processor
> This Linux-based operating system, backed by Intel, has been specially designed for the N900 and is, oddly, remarkable.
Agree hurrah, there are a lot of companies prominently listed at maemo.org, Intel not being one of them.
This article is incorrect about Google contacts synchronisation - I have my GoogleTalk contacts in mine. It happens automatically once you set up the account, which is simplicity itself. The contacts can then be merged with ordinary contacts to keep everything seamless. Synchronisation with Outlook is done using Nokia's PCSuite, which works adequately.
I'll stick with my Android.
This phone looks awesome and performs well. Can't wait till it comes to Canada.
Not bad! Some things can be upgraded, and with open source support, it actually can happen. Next version with gps and I am sold, even this one is very good!
"Unfortunately, it only supports a resolution of 480i (standard definition, 640x480) instead of 480p (high definition, 720x480)"
Sorry but there's no fkn way that 480p is considered HD...720p is the minimum.
The QWERTY looks fine, but where is the ESCape-key?
Lowest price I found in a quick search for iphone 3gs on ebay is $638, no bids, final price unknown.
or:
$200 initial cost plus the added extra $30/month required fee is $920. or $1020 if $300 paid for the phone.
and the iphone 3gs search feature ONLY goes back one year for calendar.
How thoughtful of them to delete all data over one year old for me.
oh, wait, umm, maybe I want to keep that data!
RUJ789, 480p is HD because it's progressive. It's essentially putting out twice as much data as 480i (even more considering the resolution difference, 640x480 vs 720x480). It's a huge improvement...if you watch Hulu videos, or even switch between HD and SD channels on cable. Obviously 720p is better, but considering so many HDTV's don't do SD well, not having it at least be in 480p is a bummer. 720p is a dream, though maybe Nokia will use Tegra, like we saw for the Zune...
kfromg, there's no esc key. It's a phone. There's a Q key, and nothing beyond it!
Hurrah and jabliese, it was never stated that it ran on an Intel chipset. The processor states that it's an ARM chip. Obviously Maemo has a large following, but we didn't find a need to list a ton of companies after Intel. They are large enough to put the point across.
kartu, the screen on the N900 is pretty damn good. It's no OLED, but you'd rather take a WinMo phone because of the screen? Doesn't the crappy OS keep you away?
@Hannibal: Of course it has GPS (http://europe.nokia.com/find-products/devices/nokia-n900/specifications#navigation-gn)
I love the fact that N900 has a built in FM-transmitter for easy listening of your favorite music in any car. I haven't used a Nokia for 5 years and been using WinMo phones instead but now I'm really unsure whether to buy N900 or Milestone next - my current phone (3 years old HTC Hermes) is dying.