Nokia N900 - Quick Hands On & Impressions
11/17/2009 12:26:00 PM
kenmouse
, Posted in
Whilst at Nokia World, I was very fortunate to get some hands on with the newly announced Nokia N900 Maemo device. Now, its difficult to really write up a review of this device only having spent such little time with it, but what I can do is give you my initial thoughts on the device, and my opinion on its build, and OS.
The N900 is a little chubby device, being a little shorter than the N97, and also being a little thicker, not to mention feeling somewhat heavier too than the N97, however, considering what this little chubby device packs in the way of functions, and features, it’s a small price to pay to have desktop usability in your pocket.
The Maemo Operating System took a little getting used to, and I found myself getting lost within the vast menu infrastructures, but once finding my way around, everything started to make sense, and please. This device is one hell of a beast, being able to multitask like water off a ducks back, effortlessly running several web pages simultaneously in minimized, thumbnail form, there at your disposal, ready to be launched into full screen. These web pages are always live too, not just a small version of a static website page, but live feed, it’s really impressive in this area. Now whilst all these various web pages are running, you can carry on working with the device, and not notice any performance lag whatsoever. I was able to play music, view and take photos, write notes, and launch various apps on the device all at the same time. Amazing.
The build quality of the N900 is also as impressive, boasting what I would say, E-Series type build quality, the slide is firm, and positive, opening and closing without any wobble, or feeling of weakness. The main camera cover is equally as impressive too, with the actual camera glass recessed, so no risk of scratching like the N97’s camera glass. The N900 has an inbuilt stand similar to that found on the N96, but in the N900’s case, is wider, but equally as thimble in my personal opinion.
The keyboard is very easy to use, and whilst testing a few sentences, found myself not making a single typing error, it’s to me, far better than the keyboard on the N97, as on the N900, the keys have a more positive feel, and response when pressed. The spacebar is positioned similar to the N97, to the lower right, but I personally don’t have a problem with this, and actually find it in a more natural position for when typing with my thumbs.
One thing I will say however, is that the N900 is a fingerprint magnet, and found myself having to wipe it clean every now and again in between photos of the device. Taking the N900 outside to see how visibility of the screen would be in sunlight, it was quite difficult to see, but not impossible, at the right angle, you could still work with the device. It was nowhere near as bad as viewing an OLED in sunlight for sure.
Holding the device in the landscape position is at this time, the only position this device, and its software can be used. Although I tried, there is no way to text, or use any of its inbuilt applications in portrait mode. Only call related software operates in portrait. Don’t let this put you off though, as software and applications from third party sources can be programmed to take advantage of portrait viewing, and usability.
Back to the device, and holding it in the landscape position, on the bottom of the N900, there is nothing, apart from to the lower right where the stylus is positioned.
On the left hand side of the device there MicroUSB is positioned, along with one of the two stereo speakers, which I must add sounded great.
Moving to the top of the N900, you have the power button located in the central position of the top, with the volume, and zoom rocker key to the left hand side, and to the right hand side, the main camera capture key. To the immediate right of the camera capture key, there is something what to me looks like an Infrared panel, but don’t quote me on this.
Moving to the right hand side of the N900, you will find the second stereo speaker, the screen lock spring loaded switch, and the 3.5mm TV Out, and Headset jack.
The N900 is not intended to be a mass market device, so please bare this in mind if you are considering investing in one. I personally will be buying one, but again, its all down to personal reference, and what you are looking in a device. The N900, to me is what the N97 should have been, being able to effortlessly multitask is the one thing I really need in a device, and can do without the random closing of applications such as the N97 does when running out of RAM. No chance of this happening on the N900 for sure.
Check out the specifications, and photos below, and decide for yourself if the N900 is for you or not.
Technical full Specifications can be found here.
The N900 is a little chubby device, being a little shorter than the N97, and also being a little thicker, not to mention feeling somewhat heavier too than the N97, however, considering what this little chubby device packs in the way of functions, and features, it’s a small price to pay to have desktop usability in your pocket.
The Maemo Operating System took a little getting used to, and I found myself getting lost within the vast menu infrastructures, but once finding my way around, everything started to make sense, and please. This device is one hell of a beast, being able to multitask like water off a ducks back, effortlessly running several web pages simultaneously in minimized, thumbnail form, there at your disposal, ready to be launched into full screen. These web pages are always live too, not just a small version of a static website page, but live feed, it’s really impressive in this area. Now whilst all these various web pages are running, you can carry on working with the device, and not notice any performance lag whatsoever. I was able to play music, view and take photos, write notes, and launch various apps on the device all at the same time. Amazing.
The build quality of the N900 is also as impressive, boasting what I would say, E-Series type build quality, the slide is firm, and positive, opening and closing without any wobble, or feeling of weakness. The main camera cover is equally as impressive too, with the actual camera glass recessed, so no risk of scratching like the N97’s camera glass. The N900 has an inbuilt stand similar to that found on the N96, but in the N900’s case, is wider, but equally as thimble in my personal opinion.
The keyboard is very easy to use, and whilst testing a few sentences, found myself not making a single typing error, it’s to me, far better than the keyboard on the N97, as on the N900, the keys have a more positive feel, and response when pressed. The spacebar is positioned similar to the N97, to the lower right, but I personally don’t have a problem with this, and actually find it in a more natural position for when typing with my thumbs.
One thing I will say however, is that the N900 is a fingerprint magnet, and found myself having to wipe it clean every now and again in between photos of the device. Taking the N900 outside to see how visibility of the screen would be in sunlight, it was quite difficult to see, but not impossible, at the right angle, you could still work with the device. It was nowhere near as bad as viewing an OLED in sunlight for sure.
Holding the device in the landscape position is at this time, the only position this device, and its software can be used. Although I tried, there is no way to text, or use any of its inbuilt applications in portrait mode. Only call related software operates in portrait. Don’t let this put you off though, as software and applications from third party sources can be programmed to take advantage of portrait viewing, and usability.
Back to the device, and holding it in the landscape position, on the bottom of the N900, there is nothing, apart from to the lower right where the stylus is positioned.
On the left hand side of the device there MicroUSB is positioned, along with one of the two stereo speakers, which I must add sounded great.
Moving to the top of the N900, you have the power button located in the central position of the top, with the volume, and zoom rocker key to the left hand side, and to the right hand side, the main camera capture key. To the immediate right of the camera capture key, there is something what to me looks like an Infrared panel, but don’t quote me on this.
Moving to the right hand side of the N900, you will find the second stereo speaker, the screen lock spring loaded switch, and the 3.5mm TV Out, and Headset jack.
The N900 is not intended to be a mass market device, so please bare this in mind if you are considering investing in one. I personally will be buying one, but again, its all down to personal reference, and what you are looking in a device. The N900, to me is what the N97 should have been, being able to effortlessly multitask is the one thing I really need in a device, and can do without the random closing of applications such as the N97 does when running out of RAM. No chance of this happening on the N900 for sure.
Check out the specifications, and photos below, and decide for yourself if the N900 is for you or not.
Technical full Specifications can be found here.
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