Nokia N900 Delay Highlights Maemo's Importance

One good thing in the mobile world is that everyone, literally everyone, is leaving Windows Mobile on the dustbin of history, where it belongs. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Finally mobile computing will have a chance to take off, with open platforms and no limits to functionality or toxic royalties.

You mention the iPhone, multi-tasking, and advanced user interfaces in the same sentence. Have you ever used an iPhone? It does not multitask, nor will it allow one to change the interface.

Who ever wrote this article has never used a Symbian phone. It not only supports multitasking but also offers downloadable apps support, and does not require connection to a PC to install those apps. This article was almost intelligible, you should have stopped half way. "Computer grade memory management," that's a lot even for you, probably don't know what that means.

This is what happens when an arts graduate is asked to write a tech review. The iPhone does not support multitasking. Who ever has written this article is a retard.

Take this from a real techie, Symbian supports true multitasking, even Maemo does it. But the iPhone never multitasks.

What a silly article.

While the broad gist of your article is correct, you made a number of factual errors.

The biggest one is that iPhones are better at multitasking than Symbian devices. The reality is the complete opposite.

Whoa, take it easy, folks. I made a mistake in saying that the Symbian OS doesn't multitask (and I have updated the blog accordingly) but the question of whether the iPhone's operating system multitasks is clearly quite controversial. (Check out http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/03/13/iphone-20-sdk-the-no-multitasking-myth/ and http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/01/18/myth-smasher-iphone-multitasking/ and http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2343380,00.asp)

The bottom line seems to be that while the underlying iPhone OS does multitask (it's based on the MacOS and UNIX, after all) Apple restricts the ability of third-party developers to run apps concurrently in the background. From a user standpoint, on the other hand, the device can do many things at once, which is all that really matters to most consumers.

In any case, I think my critics have missed the larger point of my posting, which is that Nokia, for a variety of strategic reasons, is pinning its high-end smartphone hopes on the more robust Maemo operating system. I have nothing against Symbian (and to answer one comment, yes, I have used both Symbian phones and the iPhone) but this isn't about me, it's about Nokia's plans. If you have issues with the strategy, take it up with Nokia, rather than calling me names!

Amen to the above comments. The iPhone is not a multitasker (for the end user, that is). There supposedly are some apps that multitask but it's NOWHERE near what Symbian can do. Over two years ago, Nokia started pushing something called On-demand paging, which allowed even the 1st gen N95 to manage memory as it was needed. Programs were unloaded from the memory if they were not used and suddenly after that update a phone that originally had 15 MB of memory left for the programs had 35-40 MB. On top of that, Sling player mobile was available for N95 (again the 1st S60 v3 device) and the phone did not even chuckle while using WiFi streaming from Sling. There's also Nokia Internet radio -- again works like a marvel even on EDGE.

I do have to give a HUGE credit to Apple for being able to f**k with minds of a HUMONGOUS population of our globe and brainwash them into thinking that their ayFone is "All that and a bag of Pringles." Does anyone remember the original Mac commercial from 1984...the runner destroys the screen and sets everyone free from the grip of the EVIL PC...well why they hell doesn't anyone notice that Apple is doing EXACTLY the opposite of that commercial? Brainwash people into thinking they're getting more, where in the end what they get locks them into Apple's grip.

For the record I'm a Symbian fan but currently riding on Android...but have already pre-ordered an N900. If Nokia had an S60 phone on par with the current N-series that would work on T-Mobile's AWS spectrum, I would not even blink or think for a second about switching back. S60 may be an old timer but it's still a FAR superior to iPhone, or Windows Mobile for that matter.

"From a user standpoint, on the other hand, the device can do many things at once, which is all that really matters to most consumers." I disagree with this statement. I have used an iPhone too. You cannot do many things at once with it, only one at a time. The only thing is that you can listen to music like on an iPod while doing something else. That's all there is to it. If you listen to Internet music you cannot do anything else, period. The matter of the OS being Unix is irrelevant because it doesn't mutitask because it's crippled on the iPhone.

"But mobile industry watcher Caroline Gabriel, in her always incisive newsletter, Rethink Wireless, offers a smart and interesting analysis of the reason for the delay. Gabriel says that Nokia is using the time to get more feedback from independent Maemo software developers and to fine-tune the device’s user experience prior to delivery."

LOL. She's a smart one since Nokia DID mention the same exact thing.

Also, "Nokia blamed a shortfall in smartphone sales in part for its disappointing third quarter results announced Oct. 15." Nokia DID NOT LOSE MONEY FROM SMARTPHONE SALES! They lost money because of Nokia Siemens Networks.. Get your facts right! And, the iPhone can multitask.. LOL! LOL! LOL!

Yet another piece from the good old USA, where they thought the first ever smartphone was an iPhone (I'm starting to think the i stands for idiots). Whilst there is no doubt the iPhone has a better GUI, the simple fact remains that Nokia smartphones were doing much more before the iPhone came onto the scene and are still doing so today.

The iPhone was released to market as 2G because the USA telecommunications industry (inc'l people there who write about such things) are so backward. I mean, most people probably have the iPhone for show and don't know what 'smartphone' features are because you still don't even get the concept of SMS. No wonder MMS was only added to the iPhone 2 hours ago. Geex, even my 12-year-old has more of a clue.

Andy,

Here at the Symbian Foundation we'd love to brief you on Symbian so that you have all the information you need about our platform and plans. We have just completed our annual conference here in London where we announced that Fujitsu has joined our board of directors and published details on our roadmap.

While it is correct to criticize Symbian for certain aspects of how we currently support application developers and aspects of our web browser, it is inaccurate to characterize this as our not being "up to" these tasks. Please give us the chance to explain the technology differences and what we are doing to correct the limitations that you have legitimately identified.

Well Andy, I'm pretty sure these guys are very high tech or Nokia fans, so for you to write without researching first will definitely angry, and yes this is wrong and well, everyone mentioned it already so I don't need to say more, but research and be clear before you write an article.

Alright...so now that we have hosed the article with LOL's and retard speak...let's ask ourselves on serious question:

Who is actually going to GET the N900?

*Raises Hand*

Now we can work to give each other ulcers and show one's technical superiority or inferiority complex, but when all is said and done, its about the N900, not the author of this article. Take it for what it is, rather than a new opportunity to try to blast someone online.

Factual mistakes, granted. Advise our friend on the facts so that he may have a better idea and report more accurate information next time, and leave it there.

Outside of that, its just petulance.

C'mooooon guys....

But seriously...who's getting the phone?

I have to agree with Mark above. US phones and carrier networks are crap. I usually get my cell phone overseas, as they have better technology and are more advanced than what we have here.

Take for instance when I got a Motorola v1050. I think this was at the time the RAZR was coming out. When I got the Nokia N95 8GB the iPhone was in its first iteration. I still enjoy the N95--it has a 5 megapixel camera, takes good pics, I can listen to music while surfing the Internet. Can make calls and surf the net, and I can multitask.

This is a Symbian based phone. Oh, did I mention I can watch Flash on my phone? The iPhone can't do that. So yes, I too am going to get the Nokia N900 even thuogh I had looked at the Droid. My big beef is that the Droid doesn't have TV out and the N900 can get up to 1GB of RAM. Also the FM transmitter built into it will come in handy as I busted my aux jack in my car :(

I'm getting it. The long wait is getting annoying though.

In the end, typical consumers will buy the phone which has the most useful software (apps) in the slickest package. Limitations or not, at the moment that makes the iPhone pretty hard to beat.

The iPhone multitasks just fine, thank you. You download an application, play music, and play a game or run an application all at the same time, which is multitasking in my book.

Where the iPhone is more limited is that only one application can use your screen and keyboard at a time. Really, not a big limitation for something like a phone, but in the future I'm sure that will change. Macs support multiple desktops and I'm sure in the future the iPhone will as well.

At last a phone with decent Java. Forget top-and-tail: now you'll all be able run full featured software to make and publish your own amazing videos at without installation of configuration -- on your phones!

The iPhone is only good for its games! But on a more serious note, I'm due for an upgrade and don't want to wait too long. Who knows the actual date of release for the fantastic N900?

Like what "Shau - Kenshin" said, why are you attacking the author? People do make mistakes, get over it ppl. It's about Nokia! And what they are doing is worth it, I hope, because I would rather wait than get it early and live with a sh**ty phone and crushed dreams. I as well, am getting the N900...I pre-ordered it and I can't wait. I was disappointed when I found out that it was going to be delayed but it's worth the wait. More suspense...and it had better be as good as I think it is.

Oh and the release date is said to be on the 16th of November.

Some iPhonies claim they can multitask, but running a couple of apps is not multitasking, it's maybe minitasking.

I'm talking about downloading a divx dvdrip to watch later without any convertion, while listening to Jabber (Internet radio) and playing a game, then you pause your game because your friend sent you an IM or e-mail...he wants you to check out this funny video on the web...so you open your web browser and right before the funny part of the video your girlfriend calls so you answer, it turns out she is free for the rest of the day, so you open your contacts, make a couple of reservations, and voilá you go back to seeing the funny part right were you left off.

Do you know why you can't multitask? Well, allow me to illustrate why, it's simple: We are in the midst of a new decade where your hardware and OS will be outdated, no longer fit to compete with the generation of new smartphones. And no matter how jailedbroken your iPhony is, its hardware will just tremble at the mere thought of true multitasking.

Looking forward to the N900 too -- and my wife wants my N97 asap in return. I've learned not to preorder technology, though. ;-)

The facts on Nokia N900 UK delivery date and network availability!

As the independent operator of Nokia Retail stores in the UK, I can advise that we are expecting our N900 stock mid-November. No exact date has officially been announced for UK release by Nokia. At launch the N900 will exclusively be available from Nokia Stores and Nokia online, and the connection is to the Vodafone network only.

Importantly, I was interested this week to see at least two UK companies offering deals of the N900 connected to O2 and Orange. This is news to us and my recommendation is don't buy, especially if you want a proper UK-supplied N900 anytime soon.

Good discussion. I enjoyed the ding dong affair. You guys are definitely more high tech than me. I learnt a lot from the exposé, but my question is I learnt that iPhone can be tracked from anywhere in the world if misplaced. That is a good security feature if that can happen. Does N900 has such a feature? I care about this because for us in Africa where phone pilfering is common, buying a phone for almost $700 is a big deal and need some kind of protection.

I've been using Nokia for 10+ years and the Symbian OS by far is one of the most versatile and easiest operating systems on the market. It is bug-free, bullet-proof, and it allows interface with almost any and all softwares including Microsoft Office, Adobe, etc.

As far as iPhone and its market share, all I have to say is, buy one and try to use it. The iPhone has only 10% of the potential that most Nokia N-series have and even the unlocked models lack the ease and capabilities of loading anything on the darn thing unless it is thru Apple or the Unlocker software designer.

I have to say that the iPhone's browser, although it has big limitations such as loading attached files or inability to show Flash on web pages, and many other flaws, is somewhat faster and much easier to use.

Point about Nokia touch screen models such as the N97: Nokia definitely missed the boat on these models. Although the N97 is considered to be their high-end phone today, it lacks reliability and speed. Even with multiple updates it still crashes and freezes. The music player sound through the built-in speakers is extremely low fidelity and the camera lacks extended zoom capability.

Perhaps the N900 delay is a good thing for the consumer and Nokia does not want to make the same mistake of releasing a phone with flaws, as they did with the N97. For now, after using the N97 for 2 months, I am back to using my N95, which is by far the best Nokia phone yet. It has some flaws and limitations such as no keyboard and the slider getting loose, but the multimedia keypads and the browser back button, along with bullet proof Symbian and its several thousand apps, makes it one of the best, most reliable cell phones on the market.

I hear people talk about the iPhone's new features, such as faster 3G, video recording, and copy & paste, and I laugh at them. Obviously these folks lack the knowledge that other phones have been on the market for several years with these capabilities. I guess the iPhone's marketing has made it the most popular phone in USA and many other countries.

Unfortunately, Nokia also lacks marketing and service reliability in the USA. If you purchase a Nokia product in USA, just hope that it never needs to be sent into Nokia for repair or corrections. Nokia USA uses a repair facility in the USA called Palco. I have dealt with them over the years for warranty issues. Unfortunately and sadly, they are horrible. They never, ever check the phone for the problems that was sent in for. Instead they just reload the software and send it back with all the same problems that it was sent to be repaired.

If Nokia could get the same service reliability that it has in Europe, I know that it would make all of us Nokia users much happier. This is the main reason that I am going to get rid of my N97. It was sent to them for several issues and it was sent back to me with the same problems. The repair worksheet did not even state that they even looked at the issue problems. All it says (routinely) is, reloaded factory software and tested RF signal. After more conversations with Nokia customer care, I will again be filing a complain with New York Dept of consumer affairs to get Nokia's attention to fix the problem with my $700 Nokia N97. This is the only way that I know of that makes Nokia do the right thing and fix the damn thing.

"...isn't up to the task of handling some of the sophisticated functions possible with the iPhone."

Your article was fine with the exception of that one comment. Aside from having a much larger and diverse app store (plenty of apps can be found all over for Symbian, but only now is Nokia starting to gather them together in one location, the Ovi store) there aren't any 'sophisticated functions' the iPhone has that Symbian cannot handle.

Andy Reinhardt,

Forget about all the names and comments these retards have given you. All you guys, what Andy is saying is right. You guys spent your green on the Symbian OS just because you were obsessed, or you couldn't buy an iPhone. Nokia has some better plans and that's what Andy is trying to say. If you guys were so smart about commenting on Symbian and the iPhone then you would have ended up writing articles. But frankly speaking you ain't smart, you are all retards who are frustrated to pay $$ for Symbain which does everything that you say but what's the use? Look at the future and not your past ghosts.

Damn you guys, great article Andy. It has given me really good insight on what exactly Nokia is trying to achieve, a better more powerful iPhone, more open iPhone, and better useful phone.

Wow, it's amazing the ease with which people are hurling insults at the author, yet they don't really have all the facts. Worse, they don't know that they don't have all the facts. And worst of all, they miss the point. Rest easy, Mr. Reinhardt, the article serves its purpose.

Oh, and I would love the new N900, just can't afford it (I know that it's within the smartphone price range). Maybe one day soon I'll own it...