Nokia N900

4$£&*(£$&*(!

This phone looks ideal to me - I had been looking at an iPhone before, but it's so heavily locked down and restricted it is silly. I was initially impressed with the phone, but the more I look at it, the more I realise I can have more for less cost and the iPhone is all about buying a brand which just doesn't sit right for me.

So here's the question. What is the phone like to use? I take it it's not on official release for another couple of weeks yet, but some people must have used it.

The most important thing is the ability to stream internet radio. Can someone with a reasonably recent Nokia take a look via https://www.radiofeeds.co.uk and check out BBC London and Capital FM, let me know if your Nokia supports it and what network you are on? This is a big step, and I've had a really bad experience of a phone I would expect to do this recently so don't want to be shelling out for a phone that doesn't do what I want, so if anyone can help this is much appreciated.

Thank you.

M4RKM

radiofeeds.co.uk works fine on my iPhone...

I'd be very careful about buying that Nokia the moment it comes out. Nokia don't have the greatest track record of bringing out things with great software, and they sure as hell don't update it as often as the updates available for the iPhone.

My iPhone isn't heavily locked down and restricted at all.. I have loads of storage included in it, and it takes moments to get a new application or more music on it. I know it's only on o2 right now, but with Orange and Voda in the mix, you've got 3 networks now...

M

4$£&*(£$&*(!

The radiofeeds site worked fine on the iPhone I tried too, but I think it's a bit inaccurate to say it isn't heavily locked down or restricted at all. To give you some examples -

- There is a massive following to 'Jailbreak' iPhones online
- Official firmware updates remove jailbreaks and you have to wait for an unofficial update
- The phones all on sale in the UK are sim-locked and there are mixed messages if O2 will allow them to be unlocked according to several forums
- The latest phone, the 3GS, can only be sync'd using iTunes, it is an encrypted file system unlike other versions, which is useless for me using Linux at home
- There is no memory card reader, meaning you are stuck with the memory you buy
- There is no official user replacable battery, meaning you are at the whim of someone else if you want to replace the battery

All this is way too many restrictions for my liking, and the fact there are three networks who will ultimately be selling it doesn't mean much to me - in Australia, where there are even more networks selling it, prices are still comparable to European tariffs.

The N900 on the other hand utilises Maemo, a largely open source operating system, with a community that develops software in the same way as Linux, meaning the updates will be developed by demand rather than waiting for Nokia.

I have seen the N900 for £30 per month including unlimited internet, £60 cashback and an 18 month contract, and £0 for the handset itself. This is far better than any iPhone contract I have seen, and includes 32Gb storage. The equivalent iPhone 3GS 32Gb, for a £0 handset, costs a whopping £73.41 for 24 months, has a worse spec camera and not even a flash.

That's why I'm looking for constructive feedback on the N900 as I'm looking for definite downers, but spec-wise it beats the latest iPhones and the only restriction out of the above list it may have is a sim lock - although I'm not even sure it will have this, since Nokia has told the network operators this time they cannot brand these phones.

movilogo

You can watch extensive reviews on YouTube. The phones looks quite good on paper. It has Linux Maemo Operating System which is open source (unlike iPhone's).

Also consider Palm Pre which is cheaper and has a keyboard too.

rash.m2k

Here my twopence on this, I've used Nokia for as long as I can remember, specifically Nokia SMARTPHONES, I never ever use a non-smartphone as my main phone. So i've used the Nokia 6630, 6680, N70 etc. etc. right upto the N95/N96 and 5800. Also used windows mobile, and Samsung, SE smartphones.

I'm not a stricly Nokia buyer, I'm a strictly smartphone user and don't care who makes them, as long as they are good.

The iPhone is not a true smartphone as it's missing a major feature, thats multitasking, so it somewhere between the dumb phones and smartphones which is great for the millions of people who haven't a clue how to use true smartphones and a big reason for its success. Web browsing and UI is second to none however.

The N900 on the other hand use Maemo, and unlike the iPhone is open and not stupidly locked down (the tight grip that Apple has over the phone and the networks is ridiculous, they are milking each and every iPhone user, no only on the contracts that one has to pay to get the iphone but also the applications!).

I've used the old maemo OS on the N800 and N810 (which I've just recently sold), beleive me it WILL be able to use Radiofeeds.co.uk. The 5800 can use it and practically all Nokia smartphones can.

The N900 will not crush the iPhone, but the Iphone users who are a little more intelligent will want to use something a little more techical and will buy the N900.

It's the only phone that can replace my current N95.

Edit: Whats the phone like to use?

It's a Nokia! YOU KNOW it will have ALL the basic Nokia functionality, thats why you buy Nokia. Because you know that underneath all this fancy touchscreen, camera etc. I have a pure Nokia phone that can be used just as well as a cheap Nokia! Unlike the iPhone which until recently couldn't even send MMS - pathetic!

stokefan

rash.m2k wrote: »

Here my twopence on this, I've used Nokia for as long as I can remember, specifically Nokia SMARTPHONES, I never ever use a non-smartphone as my main phone. So i've used the Nokia 6630, 6680, N70 etc. etc. right upto the N95/N96 and 5800. Also used windows mobile, and Samsung, SE smartphones.

I'm not a stricly Nokia buyer, I'm a strictly smartphone user and don't care who makes them, as long as they are good.

The iPhone is not a true smartphone as it's missing a major feature, thats multitasking, so it somewhere between the dumb phones and smartphones which is great for the millions of people who haven't a clue how to use true smartphones and a big reason for its success. Web browsing and UI is second to none however.

The N900 on the other hand use Maemo, and unlike the iPhone is open and not stupidly locked down (the tight grip that Apple has over the phone and the networks is ridiculous, they are milking each and every iPhone user, no only on the contracts that one has to pay to get the iphone but also the applications!).

I've used the old maemo OS on the N800 and N810 (which I've just recently sold), beleive me it WILL be able to use Radiofeeds.co.uk. The 5800 can use it and practically all Nokia smartphones can.

The N900 will not crush the iPhone, but the Iphone users who are a little more intelligent will want to use something a little more techical and will buy the N900.

It's the only phone that can replace my current N95.

Edit: Whats the phone like to use?

It's a Nokia! YOU KNOW it will have ALL the basic Nokia functionality, thats why you buy Nokia. Because you know that underneath all this fancy touchscreen, camera etc. I have a pure Nokia phone that can be used just as well as a cheap Nokia! Unlike the iPhone which until recently couldn't even send MMS - pathetic!

at last someone who agrees with me

the iphone cant even play flash video, due to apple and there "tight restrictions"

i too have had smartphones for aslong as i can remember and cant believe people think apple have done anything brilliant with there phones, all they have done is be very cleaver with there marketing.

my old ngage can do most things the iphone can do

stugib

What's the availability of apps looking like for Maemo from day 1? That'll be my priority for when I upgrade next month, but the iPhone seems to have so much momentum now that I can't see the Pre WebOS being that successful so have ruled that out, but I do share the concerns over Apple and O2's control over the iPhone. I know Maemo is Linux, but that doesn't always mean it can run any Linux app.

I want serious productivity apps and utilities so quality not quantity. I know the iPhone has some very good apps, but they seem to be the minority in a field of twee little toys.

4$£&*(£$&*(!

stugib wrote: »

What's the availability of apps looking like for Maemo from day 1? That'll be my priority for when I upgrade next month, but the iPhone seems to have so much momentum now that I can't see the Pre WebOS being that successful so have ruled that out, but I do share the concerns over Apple and O2's control over the iPhone. I know Maemo is Linux, but that doesn't always mean it can run any Linux app.

I want serious productivity apps and utilities so quality not quantity. I know the iPhone has some very good apps, but they seem to be the minority in a field of twee little toys.

http://www.maemo-apps.org/ looks promising.

rash.m2k

stokefan wrote: »

at last someone who agrees with me

the iphone cant even play flash video, due to apple and there "tight restrictions"

i too have had smartphones for aslong as i can remember and cant believe people think apple have done anything brilliant with there phones, all they have done is be very cleaver with there marketing.

my old ngage can do most things the iphone can do

I know! Ok, I don't like the iPhone, but I can see what it has acheived. It's gave all the other manufacturers a well needed kick up the backside. There is one thing the iPhone does best that matter to me - web browsing. But now that the N900 web browsing is just as good and uses resistive touch (I hate capacitive - even a small bloody touch sets it off and I can use it if my fingers are wet or a stylus or a pen!).

For me the iPhone can't even replace my current 3 year old N95 or N95 8GB. It's a dumb phone designed to entice the millions of morons we have running around the streets. I bet every banker has one.

The N900 has all the features of the N95 8GB (good camera, gps etc. etc.) plus a fast processor and a good OS.

stugib wrote: »

What's the availability of apps looking like for Maemo from day 1? That'll be my priority for when I upgrade next month, but the iPhone seems to have so much momentum now that I can't see the Pre WebOS being that successful so have ruled that out, but I do share the concerns over Apple and O2's control over the iPhone. I know Maemo is Linux, but that doesn't always mean it can run any Linux app.

I want serious productivity apps and utilities so quality not quantity. I know the iPhone has some very good apps, but they seem to be the minority in a field of twee little toys.

Firstly there is not going to be many apps - simply because iPhone apps are designed to enhance the OS with features that should already be present. Such as profiles, bluetooth file transfer/music etc. etc.

There are however serious apps for it such as video players and office productivity apps - they just need to ported over from the old maemo to the new one.

You will be able to acheive more with this phone than you could ever with the iPhone.

rash.m2k

markymoo wrote: »

radiofeeds.co.uk works fine on my iPhone...

I'd be very careful about buying that Nokia the moment it comes out. Nokia don't have the greatest track record of bringing out things with great software, and they sure as hell don't update it as often as the updates available for the iPhone.

My iPhone isn't heavily locked down and restricted at all.. I have loads of storage included in it, and it takes moments to get a new application or more music on it. I know it's only on o2 right now, but with Orange and Voda in the mix, you've got 3 networks now...

M

I'm not having a go. But this is a perfect example of an iPhone user. Clearly doesn't understand what the OP means by locked down, storage and apps have minimal to do with locked down/restrictive.

Also doesn't realise that in fact Nokia update their phones with new firmware more often than Apple (once every 6 months or so for apple).

4$£&*(£$&*(!

rash.m2k wrote: »

I'm not having a go. But this is a perfect example of an iPhone user. Clearly doesn't understand what the OP means by locked down, storage and apps have minimal to do with locked down/restrictive.

Also doesn't realise that in fact Nokia update their phones with new firmware more often than Apple (once every 6 months or so for apple).

This is really the nub of why I have looked at the iPhone, I have used it, I have researched it, and made my decision on facts instead of jumping on a bandwagon of either pro or anti-Apple. And that nub comes back down to my increasing perception that buying an iPhone is more about buying into some hype, rather than buying a product that will do x, y and z.

I have no intention of rubbishing the iPhone, I can see its merits. It has kick-started the industry again. It has reminded me I don't need a lot of individual devices, I can do the day-to-day things I want on one unit. It reflects the different lifestyles we lead today as opposed to 10 years ago.

The iPhone was revolutionary for Apple because it has rejuvinated their sales. I use this in a past tense on purpose. I think it has now delivered its kick, and in the mid-term it will keep on delivering, but its insistance to lock down the handset will be its death knell. No doubt at some point the firmware updates will be harder to 'jailbreak' too, and you are then locked into permanently funding Apple for as long as you want service. The main jailbreaking software maker has already said they have no intention of re-coding the latest kernel too.

Besides, why would anyone want to get a phone that has to have unofficial, third-party software just to unlock it? There are risks with doing this too, one dodgy firmware update from a malicious source and it could irreversably damage the handset.

For several weeks, I loved the iPhone. It was on my Christmas list. I'd researched local coverage maps, seen what apps I wanted and used it first-hand. Then as it dawned on me, I could buy more featured technology which was less restricted, I realised all I would be doing is buying hype.

Sure there is a novelty as your friends drink a virtual Guinness. And I have seen the app that allows you to load and fire a virtual gun. It is all pretty novel that first time. In six months from now though I can see me using the features on an N900 on a daily basis though, and most of the iPhone apps fading into grey.