For almost 3 years, Apple’s iPhone has set the standard for mainstream smart phones. Recently, Apple has taken over a large portion of the smart phone market, now manufacturers like Nokia are taking the iPhone threat seriously and bringing out new phones to try to compete. One phone that looks like it has a real chance to compete with the iPhone is Nokia’s new N900 phone/internet tablet. Here are 15 ways we think that the N900 is better than the iPhone, and a few reasons why the iPhone is still better.
1. No contract needed – N900 Cheaper Over Time
Nokia N900: $529 at Amazon.com
iPhone 3GS 32GB: $300
At first glance, it seems that the iPhone is the clear price winner, coming in a full $260 cheaper than the N900. However, because the N900 is an unlocked GSM phone, you’re not stuck with a single mobile provider. The $300 iPhone 3GS is subsidized by AT&T and locked to their network. With the iPhone, you must agree to a 2-year contract which will end up costing you thousands of dollars in the long run.
With the N900, you are free to choose any GSM mobile provider you want (T-Mobile or AT&T in the US). One particularly interesting option by T-Mobile USA is their new “Even More Plus Unlimited Talk + Text + Web” plan. This plan gives you unlimited everything for $80/month – with no annual contract. Compared with the price of an iPhone and a 2-year AT&T unlimited contract ($150/month), you could save $1420 over 2 years! Of course, you could always go for a cheaper plan and save even more money.
2. Unlocked World Phone
If you have ever traveled abroad with a smartphone, you know that international roaming rates can be unbelievably high. Even if you plan ahead and buy a special international data package for your iPhone from AT&T, it will still cost you $200 for 200 MB of data. With the N900, you can avoid these outrageous charges and simply get a local SIM card for the country you are visiting. This can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars!
3. Built-in Keyboard
One of the most common complaints about the iPhone on-screen keyboard. It can be incredibly frustrating to type on a little screen with no tactile feedback. The Nokia N900 has a built in keyboard, and while we doubt you’ll be able to type 100 words per minute, having a physical keyboard should allow most people to type faster and more efficiently. Of course, if you like on-screen keyboards, the N900 has one of those too.
4. Cameras
The Nokia N900 comes with 2 cameras. The first is a 5 megapixel Carl Zeiss autofocus camera with dual LED flash. One design decision we really like is the lens cover, no more cleaning off hand grease and pocket lint before taking photos! Additionally, the N900 comes with a front-facing VGA webcam. This should be very useful for things like video calls and video blogging.
5. VoIP/Video Phone
The N900 has Skype, Google Talk, and SIP support built right into the phone’s dialer. This means that you can make Skype calls just as easily as regular mobile phone calls. There’s no need to install additional software or launch a separate app for Skype. The N900’s built in webcam for Skype could make hauling a laptop around for video calls a thing of the past.
6. Built-in GPS Routing Software (no extra charge)
The N900 comes with turn by turn GPS routing at no extra charge. No need to buy or download extra software. Maps and routing are provided by Nokia’s Ovi service.
7. Browser with Flash Support and Add-ons
Apple claims that with the iPhone you get the full internet. However, the iPhone still does not support Flash, a technology found on many websites and used extensively for embedded video. The Nokia N900 supports Flash files embedded in pages – Youtube, Flash games and other sites work just as they would on a desktop computer. Also, since the browser on the N900 is based on Firefox, it can be extended with add-ons. Add-ons such as Adblock Plus are already available for the N900.
8. Background Apps (Multitasking)
Another big complaint against the iPhone is that you can only run one app at a time. For example, you can’t listen to music via the last.fm app and use another app at the same time. This is not a problem with the N900, you can run as many apps as you want simultaneously – just like on your desktop!
9. Removable Storage
With the iPhone, you only have 16 or 32 GB of memory, period. The Nokia N900 features a microSD memory card slot that allows you to extend the memory with cards. If you run out of memory for all your photos, videos and music, you can simply add or swap memory cards – you are not limited to only 32 GB.
10. Freedom Loving Phone
Not only is the N900 unlocked for use on any mobile GSM provider, it’s also a freedom loving phone. The core Linux OS and most of the Maemo platform is open source and Nokia does not stop you from having root access to your phone – no jailbreaking needed! You are also free to download and install any applications you wish, you don’t need to ask Nokia for permission. With the iPhone, if Apple doesn’t like an app, you’re simply out of luck!
11. High Resolution Display
The Nokia N900 has a high resolution 3.5″ touch display (800 by 480 pixels). The iPhone’s screen is only 480 by 320 pixels. Videos and photos really shine on the N900 screen.
12. Better Audio/Video Codec Support
Out of the box, the N900 supports more video and audio codecs than the iPhone. Music playback file formats include .mp3, .wma, .aac, .m4a, and .wav. Supported video formats include H.264, MPEG-4, Xvid, WMV, H.263, .avi, .mp4, .wmv, .asf and .3gp. For ringtones, .wav, .mp3, .AAC, .eAAC, and .wma are supported – imagine that, you can make your own ringtones instead of re-buying your favorite songs!
13. FM radio and FM transmitter
The Nokia N900 includes a built in FM transmitter that you can use to listen to your music in your car. To get this feature on an iPhone, you’ll need to buy an add-on device. The N900 also includes an FM Radio so you can listen to the radio right on your phone. These are both very nice touches, extras, that Nokia has added to the N900.
14. Geek Cred
The iPhone is a pretty great device, but it’s not all that great for real geeks. Real geeks need things like a terminal application, root access to the phone, ssh, vnc and bit torrent built into their phones. There’s nothing more geeky than using a terminal on your phone. Maybe you’d like to write some bash scripts to automate things? The possibilities for showing off your geek cred are endless!
15. It’s not the iPhone
Let’s be honest, the iPhone is old news – everyone has one these days. Of course, most people just have one to show the rest of the world how cool they are. But you don’t want to be like everyone else, do you? Getting a phone like the N900 will make you stick out in a crowd of iPhones. Why not be different? ;)
Why the iPhone is Better
1. More Apps
Apple recently announced that their app store has over 100,000 apps (even though many are frivolous or repetitive). The N900 currently only has a few hundred apps available. This is one place where the iPhone really shines.
2. Gaming
Although the N900 comes with an impressive looking 3D game called Bounce Evolution, we highly doubt that many developers will be making games for the N900. Apple has really made a push for the iPhone to be a gaming platform and there are many great games available. If you want to play games on your phone, the iPhone is the clear choice.
3. More Popular
Even though we poked fun at the iPhone for being too mainstream, it is true that the iPhone is extremely popular. This means that it has more apps available, and it’s probably easier to find someone in the office who can help you with it. If you want to buy this year’s most popular smart phone, the iPhone is for you.
4. Multi-touch
One of the iPhone’s biggest claims to fame is its multi-touch interface. Apple took the old idea of multi-touch and really made it shine on the iPhone. The N900 does not have multi-touch capabilities. While I doubt most people would miss this functionality, if you want to do lots of “pinching” on your phone, the iPhone is the winner.
5. Slightly Smaller
Because the iPhone lacks a built in keyboard, it weighs slightly less than the N900 and is slightly smaller. Size is a big deal with mobile phones. A few millimeters can make a huge difference when trying to fit a phone in your shirt pocket. In the size department, the iPhone is the clear winner.
Conclusion
Overall, we think the Nokia N900 is a better phone and internet device than the iPhone. If Nokia plays its cards right, it could have a real hit on its hands. But will the N900 overtake the iPhone in popularity? Probably not, but at least it will give a lot of geeks a great iPhone alternative.
Why the iPhone is Better – Gaming
Really?
The Nokia N900 has full access to the bazillion browser games on the web. From street fighter to streets of rage (I saw this on youtube.)
My 3gs? Well not also do I need an app for that. I need to pay for the privilege too.
I’ve just put my iphone on ebay. And I’m hoping for a quick sale so I can get this beast of a phone
also n900 can use all flash games and there are thounds flash games out there
Imagine the SoftFrog Multi touch keyboard for this Nokia. FrogPad will develop in early 2010. SoftFrog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te9O8HavQpQ
Of course the iphone will have more apps, it’s been out for a while now. on the other hand it’s not surprising that the n900 only has a few hundred, it’s not even released! but once it is i’m sure there will be a lot of useful and cool apps to download. The apps on the iphone are pointless. . .the only reason it is doing well is because of the marketing apple has been doing
anyways great comparison man!
Telling me that the iPhone has 100,000 apps is like ComCast telling me I have 100,000 TV channels available. Gaaag!!!
Awesome article !
Skype video calling support is not present right now .. its coming soon.
And you don’t even need a local sim card when ur abroad .. just wifi access with skype out :D
as said, the games….the n900 isnt even recieved by the mass populus and NES/Vboy/SNES games are already ported….theres only a few thousand, non-apple games there…not including the masses of flash games available direcetly online, that will not show a “lego-block”
as for the “pinch”, if you could read your screen more clearly, the pinching is not necessary…asside from the fact that the “multi-touch” is actually a patent that is owned by nokia hence one of the 22 law suits against apple for copy-right infringment (not exactly something that apple is uncommon with doing)
The n900 has 2.5 times the clarity and visiblilty in the same 3.5″ screen! besides, why use 2 fingers when you can just use 1 to any vewing percentage you want by using the volume key…if you dont like the swirl or double tap.
as for the apps store with 100,000 apps, …. it’s a well known factor that the only apps that are really seen are the first 1000 apps and then anything between there and 2000 apps are less then 2%, and anything beyond the 2000 is dismall to even be recognized. let alone getting Jobs to pee on the app and give it some dose of reality as being a real app by allowing it in his domain.
for sure, the iphoney is thinner (missing a tactile kb) and a bit lighter (would be close to the same with a tacttile kb).
over-all, i liked your review. it doesnt even show all the benefits of the n900/linux…but that wont matter to those that are actually going to use it and all the iphoney fanboys who have to justify re-upping thier contracts for new equipment that is still 2-3 years behind every year……and lets not forget btw, what it cost them for thier replacement if they lose thier phone before contract ends, or, if they are traveling, where they can find a replacement…because if they try to replace thier iphoney info on a standard equipment unit even as temporary while traveling, they are S.O.L. with regards to thier info and contacts, where a n900 user can pick up any phone with a sime card and if it is a nokia, sync it up with OVI on the go, or any other phone with thier pim service…where the iphoney is stuck forcing you to use thier products, which is NON-COMPATIBALE with anything else but!
oh, and that “special” rate plan they are foced to be on too. :/
Varun, I have an N900 prototype, and it has skype integrated into the contacts application. Also, you enter your skype credentials and it logs you in, and adds all of you skype contacts to your contacts list. For messaging, it also has skype chat. What IS missing is a standalone skype application, but all of the features of skype are integrated into the applications already. Even when the standalone Skype application comes out, no one will care, as the integrated skype is much more convenient.
1 to 3 – We can do all this in Australia with iphone.
4 – Get areal camera.
5 – The Skype App. you load for the iphone is better then Nokia’s and soon we will have a 3G compatible Skype.
6 – The free GPS with the Nokia is a junk. If you want the best you have to pay for it.
7 – OK Nokia wins until iphone realises their version.
8 – OK Nokia wins for now.
9 – The largest micro SD card is 32GB and is slower then the iphone internal HD. Why would you need more then 32gb anyway?
10 – No problem in Australia, you can have your iphone unlocked.
11 – Ok Nokia, but more battery consumption.
12 – Buy areal video camera with HD.
13 – Load any radio station apps for iphone much more fun.
14 – The iphone is Apple product, and we know everyone including Microsoft copy Apple.
15 – What century are you living, Apple will never stay where they are. They always re-invent.
16 – You forgot to mention the most important advantage of iphone. “The operating system”.
16 – How much did Nokia pay you.
WTF you chatting about yervant? just get over the reality shock and take it like a man the n900 kills ur i-crap period. i had 1 for 6 months and it was bug ridden and had loads of issues..true i liked multi touch and pinch zooming but to be honest the feature rich n900 totally blows it away and heres why
..
1) crap camera no flash…i was able to take pics in the dark in a club with the n900 and they came out great so no contest there..
2) N900 has true multi tasking in real time try getting your i-trash to multitask the same like the n900 –it’ll never happen not in this life time lol..( i managed to get 35 apps runnning on my n900-amazing! when was the last time u heard of a mobile doing that???
3) more then 2 xs the resolution & all images & photos look crisp & super detailed in hi res, way better then on the iphone.
4) super hd video recordiing / playback & support for a wider range of video codecs out of the box
5) A touch screen which a lot of reviewers were amazed was not capacitive as it was so responsive; many prefere it cause u can us a stylus too.
6) n900 has a standard 32gb on board memory which is super fast & there are no hang ups in running / multi-tasking apps thanks to the super fast 256mb ram & 1GB of additional program memory dedicated to running apps.
7) true stereo sound out the box..i admit i was a little disappointed that there were no equaliser effects since the n95, n97,n97 mini & 5800 all had them built in but that can be easily fixed in a firm ware update later
8) since when is the apple os much better then linux u joker? linux is open sourced and does have mega restrictions in the same way as apple does when it comes to dev apps for it. bottom line of the 100,000 apps available on line thousands are rehashes of previous apps…give the n900 community time they will have apps to blow the iphone away..its fact that its a tech supperior piece of tech then the i-phone 3gs…just face facts there are plenty of bettrer mobiles on the way. The only reason iphone sales and people are more aware of it is due to good marketting by apple, not cause its better then n900.
once the dev community get behing the n900 it will have amazing soft available and i hope it gets the sales and backing it really deserves cause its a seriously good mobile
and and lets not forget the superior mozilla browser which every reviewer has openly said is the best all round web browsing exp on a mobile ever – ever!!! It renders all web pages exactly the same as a desk top with no hang ups and no issues….browsing on the iphone is ok but not in the same league as the n900,
10) n900 is out the box a superior mobile and any idiot that slaggs it off is totally insane. as for the form factor its not that heavy, has a good keyboard and i found it a joy to use
so imo its the better of the 2 mobiles period…..
You can’t use the argument “buy a real camera” etc. as an excuse for the iphone not having these features. These functions have become standard in all phones nowadays and it seems that when your beloved iphone gets trumped in certain areas its as if it shouldnt be there. Poor argument all in all. IMO N900 is a clear winner here.
I agree with yervant – Almost all those points you post are invalid or hold no firm ground. And its obvious that apple has not included some of theses things… they want a premium product which just works – I’m sorry but the N900 is just a wannabe iPhone (Why not get the better phone????)
I guess guys and gals, there are many pro and cons for Iphone. But you know what? I have used my dad Nokia N97 before and now im looking at N900.
Do you know why i still say Iphone is still the best?
1) OS- Iphone OS is safe and fast! Nokia lags still man…so slow
2) User Interface – Cant you see how sleek is the UI in Apple
3) Browser – Man….Iphone is fast and great even without Flash. Nokia? Its so slow…Its not Iphone has no flash its just Apple choose not to have one.
nicholas which model of n900 were you using coz there is no way the n900 os is laggy, slow or otherwise..you mus mean iphone os is better then symbian os used on previous n series, but there are things that s60 does better too.
And dont get me started on the issues i face in the 6 months i was using an i-crap 3 gs….bugs, hang ups and slowdown galore were common issues. it did have some nice toches like multi tap and pinch zoom, but once u get over those gimmics i found the n900 was by FAR A BETTER MOBILE experience the then i-crap….
Have u guys actually sat down and played properly with the n900 i mean seriouly used it for browsing (OMG the browser is a work of art) , messaging, calling, video, music play back and doing skype calls etc.????
are you seriously gona tell me that the i-trash is way better? well if you do then i know u r chaating crap coz i used the i-trash and found many things wrong with it and id be the 1st to give credit where its due but i also i tell it how it is straight up…the i-trash will never be better technically then the n900 thats a fact so wait and see if nokia can amaze and market it properly to the masses coz it deserves success.
Are you lying doop?
one thing everyone is forgetting. The iphone is not a smartphone. It cant multi-task. That is what draws so many people to it, the fact they dont have to think. Like sheep who all follow the next sheep. That is what the iphone is. I will say it here as well, one cannot and should not compare these two phones. If they were like for like then fine, but they are so far apart that it is impossible to compare.
n900 owns it so just accept it
The most important reason to buy Nokia: freedom. Of course, you’re free to be enslaved if you so wish. Read about Apple’s draconian ways in which is squashes competition and their *own* application developers and you will realise that software freedom is on par with issues like Global warming, polluition or homeless kids etc. If you, especially in Australia, spend your dollars supporting all these various causes, then why not to fight monopolies and unfair competitions? Is it because you have too much money to blow?
@yervant
3- how does the iphone have a hardware keyboard, a software keyboard doesnt match a real hw keyboard
4- isn’t the point of these devices is carry less things, plus it is a comparison, the author was merely comparing the 2 cameras on the 2 phones
5- the n900 solution is far superior, the skype is intergrated with the rest of the communications, ie u start a skype call in pretty much the same way u do a regular call, no extra apps required
7- it is highly unlikely apple will ever hav a version of flash on the iphone, due to the fact that their extremely controlling, and want you to do only what they want
9- when is expandable storage ever a bad idea, if apple all of a sudden decided that it would include a microSD slot as well, would you then start going on about how great it is, and how other phone makers should have them. I personally like the fact that you can expand the memory from 32GB to 64GB, and would actually use the extra storage. Plus on the old internet tablets, people have actually, installed OS’s on a memory card, so then they can boot other operating systems
11- actually the iphone 3gs is the one with the worse battery life, even with the worse screen and the lack of multitasking, some pre-production n900’s have been known to run for 8 hrs straight, while being used extensively (i.e.mulitasking with music running, browser, ssh, and on wifi the whole time, plus using various other apps), if you were to try and do that with a jailbroken iphone the battery life is something like half that
12- i think you have misunderstood the point, here the author is talking about the playback of video and music i.e. listening and watching music and videos, the point is being made that the n900 play music and videos in more formats than the iphone
13- actually, the iphone does not have a fm reciever, so therefore it cannot recieve fm radio, app or not, you are talking about internet radio, which is a different beast (incidentaly, you can do this on a n900 also) plus the n900 has a fm transmitter (hardware again) so it can send radio signals to nearby devices that can pickup fm radio ie car stereos, so then u can pump out music
14- apple actually copies alot of stuff from other people and dont give royalties (look at apples court battles with creative in the past and its current court case with nokia), apple actually doesnt innovate that much at all, they just market very well, most people think that the ipod was the first mp3 player for example, but they werent the first was a rio that was made years before the ipod, and the first hdd based one was made by creative, plus apple pretty much copied the creative os for the mp3 players, the original ipod os feels like a more restrictive version of the creative nomad jukebox 3 os
15- apple doesnt reinvent theyre just at the right place, at the right time, with very good marketing
16- maemo 5 is a far superior os to the iphone os. Unlike the unix based nature of the iphone os, maemo 5 is a full linux distribution with touch optimisation, it is a derivative of debian. It feels like a computer, in its usage, plus you can use it very much like a computer, the fact that it is a linux distro, means that it is a real possibility for linux programs to be ported to it, ie real computer programs. Another advantage of maemo 5 is the fact that it is open source unlike iphone os so then you can pretty much modify what ever you like on the phone, and nokia doesnt mind, infact they may support you. another advantage of the open nature of the n900, is that it opens the possibility for installing other operating systems. Users of the nokia internet tablets (which run older versions of maemo) have been able to install debian, and Mer (which is a community made operating system made for the tablets, and is fully supported by nokia). Due to the open source nature of many of the preinstalled apps, it is possible for you to modify them to your tastes and give them functionality that they did not have before. You cannot compare maemo 5 with iphone os. Iphone os is a restrictive, limiting operating system, that forces you to do things one at a time, plus is a mess to use (all of the installed apps on the home screen in a mess i mean come on) and you can only install apps that apple lets via only one method (app store in itunes, which is a horrible piece of software but i wont go into that). One major problem with this is that, apple will not let developers produce programs that compete with their products (even if it is far superior to their product, hows that for innovation), plus they will not let any apps that dont meet their daconian ideas through.
respect to idk for putting it out there the way it should be…there is no way that the unix os id way better then linux based os on the n900….its a fact that once the dev community get behind n900 it wil soar the heavens coz it has far more potential as its like having a mini computer with mobile attributes.
why are apple owners getting so hung up on their i-trash 3gs for?? if i wanted a flat drab looking piece of “i can run only 1 app at a time” mobile i wld have chosen the i-trash 3gs from day 1..
i wanted something that was uber cool and had more tech no geek factor so i went fo the better tech n900…so far i have been amazed at soem of the crazy shit devs are doing with it – just check out ytube to see what i am talking bout…n900 is the one
i look forward to when they finally get the good stuff out for it then we’ll see if i-trash 3gs can come back its days are numbered so apple users enjoy it while there is still time to b4 n900 slips in and takes the throne lol…
If the n900 was packed in iphone casing/design, eveyone had loved it. everything starts with physical looks! n900 is not even close to iphone in this department!
i always say when nokia makes one thing good they make other thing really bad
in this case n900 maemo is really very good and the physical aspects are really too bad.. why cant nokia understand this.
core logic behind apples success is they re-invent hardware and refine software.. with limited devices well aligned to consumer markets they push things really hard!
with pinch of their own technology and making it closed one they make all consumer running after their products
just wait if apple rolls out new low priced iphones they put nokia in a great fix until they change their bureaucratic attitude towards their own devices
but who cares in nokia they feel they are the best!
@NicholasApple
I own an N97 and I agree with many of the issues you raised about it. I definitely would not recommend it over the iPhone to anyone except the most hardcore S60 followers.
However, all those points are irrelevant to the sake of this discussion. The N97 and the N900 use completely different operating systems. Telling someone not to use a Maemo-based device because of your experience with an S60-based device is akin to telling someone that OS X suck because you had a bad experience running Windows on your Mac.
1. I don’t care about the “no contract” until the phones come to Verizon. Then I will leave AT&T for VZ. Right now, it won’t even work on the VZ network, so It’s a non-issue for me. Besides, EVERY phone I have ever bought was tied with a 2-year contract (even when i was with VZ), so it’s not like Apple is doing anything different.
2. I don’t really care. This doesn’t affect me at all.
3. I LIKE the iphone keyboard.
4. This is cool, and Nokia definitely wins in the camera(s)dept. I like the iPhone camera, but clearly the Nokia’s is better, and it has TWO!
5. I don’t really care about VOIP, but the ability to video conference is cool. Win NOKIA.
6. GPS? I guess NOkia wins. I use the iphone mapping software all the time, so I guess I would be happy as a pig in mud if the phone did turn-by-turn right out of the box.
7. Without actually trying the Nokia browser, it’s hard to compare the two. Apple’s browser works awesome, without Flash, of course. If Nokia’s could work just as fast, and just as clear, WITH flash support, Nokia would win. A slow browser with flash support would just make me find a computer and use that instead.
8. I don’t think I really miss true multi-tasking, but I admit, it would be nice to have. I imagine the developers would go crazy with apps if this were possible, which could only be a good thing.
9. The size of memory has never been an issue for me since I upgraded from an 8 gig. Lets be honest here, I am carrying a bunch of movies and songs around on my phone. Exaclty how much do I ABSOLUTELY need. I can’t even remember the last time I watched a movie on my phone. I DO listen to the music a lot though. If for some reason I need my WHOLE library, I just grab my ipod. It’s cool to have a slot, but I don’t think it is really necessary. It is definitely not a selling point for me, but I can see how it may be important for others (especially a photographer).
10. Uhm, I like gadgets, but I am not a nerd. ;)I don’t really care about this point.
11. Screen? Sounds like Nokia wins.
12. Again, I am not a nerd! I mostly use Apple products at home anyway, so I don’t need all those other codecs. But I can see how it can be a selling point for others.
13. FM tranmitter? PASS. Most cars come with an AUX in jack now, and that is much better. I would use it as much as I use my separate iPod fm transmitter, which is never. Although I can listen to streaming radio on my ipod (which I actually use from time to time), FM radio would be cool. Of course, all the stations I listen to are usually from other markets, so the FM radio wouldnt help me. Still, Nokia wins this.
14. ReallY. “Geek cred?” Is that better than “Street cred,”which is basically what you are holding against apple in #15?
15. Really? “I’m so cool because I have an iphone?” I guess I wasn’t cool when I had a stupid, locked, Motorola phone with VZ.
No doubt you stuck with the I TRASH. and trust me i feel bored with the iphone cause there are so many people have that. and trst me almost video clip WHICH KIND OF PHONE IS HOLDING ON THE HAND OF THOSE SINGERS N ACTOR?. why dont they choose i-crap? isnt it nice perform (throw up)? BECAUSE NOKIA IS MORE FANCY N OUT STANDING + HIGHER STANDARD.
The iPhone is just an iPod Touch with some smart-phone features. Great for girls and dumbs that can’t use a real platform. Now go and play with your Fart App. =)
are you people serious? nokia n900 kills the iphone 3gs your saying iphone has better os look this up be for you put your silly shit on here nokia has a better os its linux based fire fox get your facts right your just jelous iphones are shit they never change the things you can do on the nokia n900 its a wicked phone i realy would love to slap you gay iphone users i would beat you so bad hahahaha nokia n900 makes the iphone 3gs look silly and the people saying nokia are shit i admit the nokia n97 has loads of bugs and is slow the nokia n900 is on a hole new level best phone out at the min get your facts right fooooooooools!
look it up the n900 is going 2 get better every time u use it it has a way better camera than the iphone 3gs u can even go on msn messenger and use the front cam as webcam it has full flash u can download torrents download movies straight to phone via p2p u can play snes games on it watch the movies and youtube on a 50 inch tv crisp picture its fucking the bollox sorry but you no its better than the iphone get 1 and find out the things u can do on it is unreal i get mine in the morning hahaha iphone users your all nobs lol
I love the look and feel of the N900, multitasking is a must and i like the idea that i can completely change the look and feel of UI at a whim.
You’ve got to love the iPhone too, its a sweet device but lacks in one or two areas that make it unusable for me.
Well this article really blew my mind off. It is so ture that Nokia N900 is way superior than any phone on current market. and miles ahead of iphone or Motorola Droid or HTC HD 2 or whatever. If I would divide my 10 points on N900 and iphone3Gs then it would be like-
OS Maemo(open source) beats iphones(closed OS) by 8:2
Multi tasking on N900 to iphones NO MULTI TASKING 10:0
5 mega pixel Camera to 3.2 mega pixel of iphone 8:2
Everything else N900 by iphone3Gs 7:3
In the end iphone is for those blind fools who buys it looking at it’s gayish look and garbage apps. Also that, i really hate itunes and it’s stupid monopolish concept. Not just on iphone but also on ipods and it’s macbooks. I really can’t stand it when macbook are shown on every television shows and movies. Ohhhh sick. and yah
for those who believes in open source support and tech savvys. get the real deal, NOKIA N900.
HI
just to say when nokia start making all there n phones next year with this new os, it will be game over for the iphone as its so easy for anyone to make a app and its the best os
also there is software that make other nokai phone look like the iphone.
with this phone they we be able to make it work like the iphonee if they like
but why????? (same hardware)
One negative for the N900 not mentioned that is glaring: use in portrait mode! As it stands, most of the N900’s UI needs to be used in landscape.
Most of the points are good but how well have they been tested?
1) Running multiple apps: how many can you run without it slowing to a crawl? and is the platform stable with many 3rd party apps. One of the flaws of my original Palm Treo 180g was some of the installed apps installed caused incompatibilities or crashes. Crash or freeze on my iPhone is rare but I suspect it should be rare for the N900 too in practice with dozens of apps installed.
2) Sure you have flash installed but how is the performance? Flash sucks up way too much CPU on my 2.8Ghz Quad Core cpu how much more on a solo core at 600MHz.
3) iPhone and the OS is a platform, the many other devices out there rarely get upgraded to multiple new OSes. My 2 year old iPhone I gave to my mom (who doesn’t need all the power) is running 3.1.2 with a slew of OS upgrades and is still competitive in today’s market. Newer phones will benefit improved hardware but maintain the same core OS. Most other smartphones are dead end phones with no planned software upgrades. Can or will the G1 be upgraded to Android 2.0? S60 or N97 be upgraded to the OS running in the N900? Software upgrades and the platform.
4) Being able to run a backup of “all” your device contents and restore on a new or upgraded device. Moving from the iPhone2G, or iPhone3G or iPhone3GS is a no brainer but all are similar but unique pieces of hardware.
Sure, portrait support is a downside but more portrait support is on its way, starting with browser by end of year. Second, any app developer can choose to include portrait support. Not a biggie for me.
Remember Nokia’s Taco phone the Ngage!
about point 8, check this out…it shows what u can really do with the N900!!!
http://blogs.nokia.com/nseries/index.php/2009/11/16/n900-multi-tasking-pub-window-showdown/
ow and You forgot to mention that fact that the N900 has 4 actuive desktops which means you can have live feeds such as facebook, twitter, weather, etc, all together without even having to open the applications.
Iphone is a hollow shell, which has bright to hide their shortcomings. N900 is a hardware and software solution robust, versatile and expandable.
I am sorry … There are 100,000 apps for the iPhone .. and even with the repetition, there are 20,000 good ones. That is 40 times more than the Nokia.
As far as geeks .. I am a computer engineer .. run several websites and have an ssh app in my iPhone. I actually have the SSH deamon instaled ON MY iPhone and can execute whatever commands on it just like I would on a computer. Many of you might not know but the iPhone runs Unix (BSD flavored).
As far as running multiple apps at the same time, Apple has made an splendid job on designing a system that allows apps to wake up on alerts in order to avoid a sluggish performance that a Nokia would have by having to run, for example, Messenger 100% of the time. I think Apple’s solutions is FAR better. I would not want to load my phone with apps running on the background so that the phone feels very slow. I want the functionality of the apps running WITHOUT them running. That is what Apple did. It is BY FAR a STEP BEYONG MULTITASKING for portable devices.
As far as the Nokia being cheaper .. let me ask .. can you use one WITHOUT PHONE SERVICE?? Come on .. who are you kidding??? You actually PAY MORE with Nokia as the celular provider is not subsidizing the phone !!! Please !!
@ Michael – Look for multitasking videos on the web, and you’ll see the pre production N900 running at least 10 programs simultaneously with tolerable lag.
– The flash issue you mentioned slowing down your 2.8Ghz Mac is a software issue and not hardware. Flash can run smooth an old 1Ghz titanium powerbook, but Apple has yet to figure out and fix the flash issue on its newer computers. A look at Apple’s forums will reveal that some people have the issue, while others don’t.
– Your 3rd issue is the one beef I have with every other manufacturer except Apple. They can all definitely learn from Apple. Create and maintain one platform, make one super device and develop them for the next 4-5 years allowing developers to confidently create content for the phones.
– Backup and sync are easily done on Nokia devices, no issues there. Most of their smartphones also play well with the Mac address book, as well as online with Ovi.
@Richard – how many of the 20,000 apps at the Apple store do you own and use on a regular basis? 5? 6? 20? Who the heck cares about the million apps if only a few of them are useful? Best thing with Nokia is that you’re not paying for each little app, a lot of them are free and developed well by Nokia for the long haul. Pity the people who paid more on all the little apps than the actual iPhone.
– Good, you managed to SSH on your iphone, well it works well on the n900 too, and the N900 can run a free VNC client as well. there’s no point here to argue over.
– You maybe happy with running one app at a time, but I prefer running multiple apps simultaneously with easy switching, which the N900 is quite capable of.
– As a matter of fact, on average, AT&T rates are as much as $10-$30 higher than comparable rate plans on T-Mobile, so yes, you do pay more for the phone than you would with T-Mobile. Let’s say $20 more for example. $20×24 months (2 yr contract) = $480 on top of the $300 for a comparable Iphone. That’s $780, N900 is just $560 (amazon).
Moreover, T-Mobile is currently in the process of rolling out HSPA networks at 7MBPS, which is pretty good by most standards. So, a cheaper choice would definitely be T-Mobile.
I like this review. people yelling each other defending their preferred brand? cool. this indicates how good both companies have market their brand. if you’re called fanboy or something, it means you’re quite maniac because of the promotions done by those companies. people have their own choice, and let them decide. who throw the best phones to the market? it’s based on customer’s perception. fanboys have the right to tell which is better, but it’s the buyer to decide. as we “generally” accepted here in asia, nokia defined what a smartphone is. and in america, maybe it’s apple who defined it. It’s again my opinion based on observation, you can kick my ass if i’m wrong. do a vote, i suggest.
so for me, I still prefer the Nokia’ish phone. because I’m accustomed to nokia’s way. apple is nice, but the silverish UI is quite boring now after some usage. you get it in iphone, ipod, and mac. I myself feels it’s boring. in nokia, although not as elegant UI as apple’s (as some claimed), we have the freedom to choose our theme color (even the whole theme, as in symbian). and it’s free. many apps are free. we love it. call us cheap. you got it. heheh.
Using the N900 on AT&T? Given that it doesn’t support 850-1900MHz 3G bands, it is a bit moot to even try. GPRS, anyone?
US user can one use it on T-Mobile.
Canadians… well if the can source it (hint: Amazon does not ship it) it does not work either for the same reason.
@jamie
You’re just an idiot who needs to learn to spell and structure sentences properly.
REALITY CHECK from former iPhone 2g & friends with 3G and 3Gs:
1. iPhones are FULL of bugs. I went through 4 iPhones and watched a parde of people coming into Apple Stores to have theirs replaced due to overheating batteries, screen freezes and blackouts. Even 1 friend who got a 3Gs less than a month ago has already had it replaced by Apple. IMHO, only reason all these cases don’t make headlines is becausse Apple makes it easy to swap for new phones so people will keep their mouths shut.
2. iPhones will NEVER have some of the FREE services and features I’ve been enjoying on my Android phone for 3 months such as wifi tethering, microSD, changeable battery. This week I added Google Nav and a new MOD that has myTouch3g running faster and smoother than ANY iPhone I’ve ever seen.
BOTTOM LINE: I concur with a few postings about iPhone having the best current shell design but when it comes to usability & freedom of choices, any phone with Android or another version of Linux makes the iPhone OS look like a tinker toy and i still can’t believe that after over 2 1/2 years, Apple still hasn’t resolved the battery/overheating problems.
N900 is wonderful little piece . It is a revolution in mobile phone industry. The writer of this article actually has play down N900 a bit when comparing it with Iphone.
I can find 20 more things that N900 is better than Iphone
I think everyone is missing the point when it comes to apps and comparing the N900 to the iphone. With full flash and java support the N900 doesn’t need apps like the iphone would to do certain tasks like updating a website, watching hulu videos, etc. Tasks can be done right through the browser. At that point you’re down to games. And lets face it, people who buy the N900 don’t have gaming at the top of their list. Maybe #2 :)
LOL ya iphone, go ahead and bluetooth me a MP3.
Who said N900 doesn’t have gaming at the top of their list?! Have you checked out the 3D Bounce game it supports. Amazed with the high definition graphic of the game?! Wait till more game developers throwing more games out for the N900. And yes, let’s face it, did you know that with Flash supported on their browser, the Nokia N900 is the FIRST mobile computer/smartphone to support Flash for webrowsing. Have you realized with this mean?!!!! THERE ARE ZILLIONS of online flash GAMES that you can play, who needs a lot of apps when they are so widely available of the web at the touch of your finger (literally).
BOTTOM LINE: Nokia N900 has pulled far ahead and away from the Iphone. So for you oldschool and mainstream Iphone users, learn to update yourself with the current technology, learn to update new powerful technology, RESEARCH on your own to see how capable, powerful, and how much customizable and FREEDOM the N900 offers you; most of all, learn to get yourself out of the Apple-Iphone matrix that Apple wants you to helpless get trapped inside. Apple knows that most people believe that what cost more means better quality and they have their customers exactly where they want them to be at. Apple products are overpriced and overhyped. LEARN IT, RESEARCH IT, DECIDE FOR YOURSELF!
16 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n99S8iMYKRY
but, it looks to bulky in my hands :(
So lets make this clear, for me the winner is the N900. to correct some idiots who made stupid comments; no 1, apple is unix based as well, no 2, the iphone can’t be that bad since it is the choice of many people everywhere, no 3, if you jailbreak an iphone, you can make it multitask at the expense of having a really shit battery life.
the N900 is a cool phone to have since it is open source, and nokia has got it right about it, its the phone you need if you want the best browsing / online experience in your pocket
Singapore user here, i would not chose iphone where need to take up Singtel contract of monthly at least 50SGD. I am a starhub user with 30% discount and i could chose any phone i want. LOL. I used before iphone, omnia II, n97, 5800. With 4 phone contract to play around, i merely try out few phone and landed on nokia 5630, while waiting for X6 or n900. What so great about iphone is only the IU, my personal opinion. Messaging on iphone is so sux. Iphone user, you know it. Soon, other brand will take over. Let us see through 2010. X6 and n900, faster come to singapore. Cheers.
I have used the iphone and I was excited at first then became disappointed and sold it right away. The iphone has a lot of flaws. First is the battery. Everytime I use it I can see the battery meter slowly losing power. At around afternoon , battery already dead. useless phone. This is a no no for a phone. Another iphone boo boo is the phone signal. I was in a restaurant and noticed there were no signal bars. To my amazement my wife’s cheap cell phone has full bars! Then the apps… so many stupid and none sense apps like fart apps. The back of the phone is slippery as soap that I have to buy a rubber case. The phone is a dust magnet and easily looks shitty with all the smudges and dirt on the metal rim sides that is impossible to clean. next…it doesn’t multitask! I can’t play internet radio and chat at the same time. This iphone is a piece of shit…..it’s not for a power user but for a user who gets attracted to the case and touch alone….
The ipod is a great device, but the n900 is newer and on paper is better in most respects as highlighted above.
Mobile phones will continue to develop and become more amazing. Nokia have built on what apple created. Apple will better what the n900 offers and so on an so forth.
Just pick one and get on with enjoying life.
You can always get the next best thing when it arrives.
Nokia, when will you learn, all your products design and materials is the same, from N85, N96, N86, N900…. all look a like, the difference was on the keyboard.
While Apple is always invent new products…
So get real guys…
Eh, I think that they should offer this through a US provider (T-mobile please) so they can get more attention. I’m sure that not a lot of people actually go through the trouble of researching a phone when they want one and just either go to their provider’s online or retail store and play around with whatever is offered there.
Sure the iPhone has some nice applications and touches, but the fact that they advertise and make themselves available through a carrier has led them on the successful path they’re on right now. Even kids in middle schools have iPhones.
Even you can see this with the Android phones. With Android slowly through the US providers, manufacturers and developers have adapted quickly to Android and are developing new phones for it. I keep hearing that the OS for the N900 has been around for awhile, but why is it that the Android already has more apps than the OS that N900 is running on? It’s because they’re making themselves available to the general public. Don’t underestimate the younger crowd; they always want the newest shiny thing. With the “amazing” web experience that N900 seems to offer, I think that they would probably pester their parents to get it for them either for the Holidays or for their birthday.
I WANT this phone. But handing out ~600 bucs up front seems kinda heavy on the pocket. Even if it’s going to be cheaper in the long run, I (and some people) don’t see that immediately.
@ Sharon. Regarding your comment
“N85, N96, N86, N900…. all look a like, the difference was on the keyboard.
While Apple is always invent new products…”
So In what way don’t all generations of the Iphone look the same???
They release one. Then add functions seen on other phones years ago and release this as a new handset
hi mates, i have an iphone3gs and i just got my n900 on last friday from mobile phones direct uk. the n900 beat iphone every way. i replace my laptop almost. web browser is awesome.the OS is great.hello iphoneys.. just try it, u will buy it…
Let’s face it, Iphone is for people used to the apple’s applications which set up everything for their users…simple but for tons of extra charges.Not to mentioned about Apple can never improve their products battery life problem and also the camera quality. I used both products and I have to say I will always sticks with Nokia phone,Not only it is smarter and I can surf the web all day and watch videos all day and still have at least half of the battery full and ready to use the next day. Nokia phone makes you think….Iphone makes users become their followers and also paying extremely high price for everything they download while I can get most of the features I love within my fingertip. But is a free world, you can feel free to use whichever mobile phone you liked because the very last person and the only person you should impress is always yourself.Don’t ever forget about that. Appreciate the technology and put it in good use rather then arguing which one is better. After all, you aren’t the one who invented…right?
Yervant is an idiot. My god, What is up with all the apple fan boys? Are some of you people serious? This phone is 10 times better then the iphone and has 10 times the feature. For your information just because apple sells more handsets then any other phone does not automatically make it better then all other phones. that just means that its the new trend and you have all these fanboys out there with their eyes glued shut and basically just focused on how shiny the iphone is. Plz. Sales do not make a superioir phone. Specs do! No matter what phone comes out, No matter what the features it will never be better then the iphone in the eyes of all the fan boys out here running around. The next smart phone could do your laundry for you and it still wouldn’t measure up to the iphone supposedly. The iphone has released 3 generations so far and tell me whats the major difference? Absolutely nothing. except they make you buy brand new hardware to basically give you a firmware update. Nothing has changed since 2007 except they are now giving features almost every other smart phone could do AGES!!! ago. MMS, Tethering, Copy and Paste. REALLY? Open your eyes people and in case your wondering i’ve own 2 iphones in my lifetime so i can compare it to other phones. I don’t understand brand loyalty. Competition is great and works out in the consumers favor. I don’t have brand loyalty when something bigger and better arives, i move on. i don’t sit there and arbitrarily say i don’t care what the other phone can do, mine is better. it just is. no real logic and no real basis. get real!
I just got the N900 and i have to say its the best phone hands down that i have ever had or had the pleasure of using. i have 3 friends that have iphones and are ready to sell theirs and get a N900. Its the obvious choice. People need to be more open minded and less apple zombies.
I am deciding whether I should buy the N900 or N97, E72 to replace my Nokia E61i. I played with the iTouch and the iPone 3GS last week and loving it espcially the animated movement However, when I tried to use the wi-fi in Akihabara of Tokyo to access my company’s cloud application, it was so slow. Basically, the iPhone can do all the tasks I wanted but very slow. Then I tried to use the Nokia E72 with wi-fi in Hong Kong, it was lighting fast and a joy to use. I am open to all alternatives: 3Gs, N900, E72 and N97 mini. As a businessman that needs to use the corporate email, surfing the web for work and entertaintment, I need a machine that can do this job fast, easy and with no limitation. I loves the Apple iPhone for its music playing and video, I like the E72 for its email and scheduling, but I probably will come down to N900 for its full internel browser experience. Thanks for the great and clear review. Dell.com, here I come.
Whoa I read that the nokia is slow compared to the iphone ?!!! my god I have to reply.
I sold my iphone to buy a n900 and I really don’t regret that choice.
The N900 is far more usable than the iphone, it’s fast, the screen react well, everything works really nicely.
Love that N900. Apple really disappointed me with their iphone. (And the iphone is ugly as hell).
Impressive article and responses.
I must say that here in Finland very many are sceptical about the new n900. Some predict that Nokia as a company is doomed to fail etc. etc.
However, N900 is new standard in mobile phones and it is interesting to see what is going to happen in the markets near future.
Just bought the new N900 at 57th street New York Nokia store, I am loving it.Nokia is the king of all mobile phones…for not one but all of the features…surely smart design for smart 22nd century people.Very Happy I bought this phone for my own New Year gift.ha ha
“Whoa I read that the nokia is slow compared to the iphone ?!!! my god I have to reply”
What I mean is that the iPhone 3Gs was so slow, using the wi-fi at Akihabara. The E72 was lighting fast in accessing my company’s cloud application. I hope the N900 would be much faster than the E72.
Frankly, the iPhone looks too sissy for me. Besides, no extra battery nd no external memory slot are 2 of the most damaging defects for businessman. The argument from those iPhone users are useless when they said “we have a charger, or 32G is more than enough” are entirely b.s. If the iPhone later comes with 2 extra memory slots, they will say it it is great to have the slots. As I said, too sissy.
hey guyss… just want to know if there is any football game available on the nokia n900. also is the gprs strong(up to date)????
do one use the keyboard to play games or we just do it like the iphony peeps???can one download videos from youtube directly to the n900????
I NEED ANSWERSSSS… PLEEEEASSE HEEELP
to richy:
gprs is strong,once you get used to the keyboard then you gonna love the N900 device.with Nokia N900, you don’t have to download anything from youtube, you can just watch it as you go along.download speed is faster than Iphone which is AT&T.I used both phone at my work place but AT&T has no reception whatsoever and speed is very slow not to mention AT&T charges extra for everything while I can get great package deal from TMOBILE.be your own judge and I wish you enjoy the new toy.good luck and have a great holiday season
“want to know if there is any football game available on the nokia n900″
You can play every SNES, Gameboy, Genesis, or N64 football game ever made.
Re yervant’s comments …. sigh … this is an US based article and contracts are required at that price in Europe too. Anyway ffs who cares what the iphone can do … it can’t ./gcc and 32GB isn’t enough for any geek.
Bottom line iphone = toy .. shiny / useless, N900 THE toy freedom to do what you want.
Sigh apple fanboys loved steve when he said “the ipod won’t have video capabilities cause thats what we designed it for”. Then 3months later you see a new ipod with video playback and the fanboys still cheered and jizzed in their pants. Apple lovers will eat up any kind of s**t cause once you are addicted to s**t what else is there.
No wonder iPhone is only popular in the US market. My US friend told me that everyone wants one. Her girlfriend is an Apple junkie. She will defend Apple if anyone says otherwise. Here in HK, only girls or girly boys who want the fashion look buy it. Even the girls in my company never even consider owning one. They go for HTC instead. I am seriously thinking of buying one for my 5 years old daughter, if she doesn’t mind about the limitation of no extra battery, no keyboard and no SD slot. The music player is great though. Will see.
Firstly, thanks for the review and comparison. Both handsets aregreat devices “in there own right” Everyone is now comparing the iPhone & the N900 because of the hype Nokia (and many geeks out there)have given the new handset. I which to simply add my opinion (for whatsits worth) and its aimed at the “general user” of a mobile/smart phone NOT ageek/IT pro who wants the N900 for this and that. I am far from a techy, but I call a spade a spade and ignore what a manufacturer says it can do to what it actually does do!! My comparison of both the handsets is from direct experience, (side by side) as Ihave a N900 and my partner has a iPhone3GS. After various tests and comparing this and that, overall for the masses – the iPhone can be picked up and used quickly even by novices because its made to be simply and straight forward, and Apple market thishandset perfectly. The N900(my handset) simply does not offer a quick and straight forward interface, it canbe (to many users) complicated. Its UI is also quite slow and lacks at times, it has a few issues and is “not quite a full finished polished product”… HOWEVER – it is an amazing handset with stacks and stacks of potential, but a tad over-rated when put up agaianst the iphone. I expected itto be sharpand very quick…nope… the iphone is sleaker and easier to use. But to be fair (and thats why I am keeping my N900) its early days for the handset! And after all the handset is a “computer with phone capabilities” unlike the iphone “a mobile phone with computer capabilities” and I do believe Nokia are marketing it all wrong. In short I think both deices are amazing, but if I had to choose which is best overall?.. iPhone at this point in time. Which would I own… well in my case, I am leaving the partner to his iPhone..I am still keeping my N900. I just love its multi tasking capabilities, which it floors the iphone on. Again its personal choice and the old Oranges n Apples scenerio, as the iPhone floors the N900 in its look and feel! My advice? Try each device before you purchase..
My problem with this phone? It’s a Nokia, and they are REALLY struggling right now in terms of earnings. The iPhone is better supported, more apps, better OS, smaller and cheaper. Sounds like a no-brainer choice at this point.
ok i have iphone- and i love it,
I have just ordered my nokia n900, on a new contract..
I will probally keep both- but hope the nokia is better.. i hate being closed into an os,, i want an open source pc in my pocket..BUT even if my nokia is ten times better than my iphone- i would recommend the iphone to 90% of users, the iphone is still the best ‘PHONE’, i know the UI will not come close even on the nokia, but this nokia isnt a phone in my opinion..
I’ve just ordered a N900 from Amazon. I really hope it’d live up to my expectation. I would never buy an Iphone for the following reasons. 1) Mainly becasue I am not willing to pay over USD $2500 over 2 yrs. Besides I live in Seattle area with Starbucks everywhere, I have free att wi-fi access when i am away from home or office. I really don’t need 3G access. 2) I was considering a netbook, but after finding out the N900 basically a phone size computer. it is a no brainer to me what I really want.
Yes I am sure the Iphone will probaly out sale N900 by large margine. With all the new phone OS, such as Android & Maemo, I am thinking Iphone future might not be as bright as some might think.
Just bought the iPod Touch 32, the most up to date version, for my 5 years old daughter. She loves it. But I hated it. It has so much restrictions. I have to designate only one computer to do the data transfer and updating. The video format that it support is horrible. I cannot go to its root directory to do any editing. Any music importing or exporting need to go through the designated iTune. Overall, the iPod/iPhone is nice to work on. The external programs are amzaing. My daughter really love it. For me, I want something more mature, something for an adult to work on. I choose N900.
Iphone – for kids
N900 – for pros
the main drawback of iphone 3gs is ,it cannot connect to the other phones or devices through bluetooth , its not the world wide phone set ,its transmeter is very sensitive to breakage there are no ready necessary applications to use like call management etc, this is not actually a mobile phone but a better ipod,it has no bettery timing or talk time ,the camera is without zoom option ,the only thing where the iphone get the numbers is excellent touch otherwise there is nothing to buy such an expensive mobile .its not for professionals. sorry to iphone users but its true its not really a good or best choice.
the openess of d n900 in my opinion puts it ahead. It is better described as an emerging standard for future developers of a hand held computer than a phone. It is a computer with phone capabilities. Earnestly waiting for its arrival here.
iphone fans, go for it, and
nokia fans, go for it,
has been the eternal battle between windows vs os x vs linux.
as for me i love nokias, since the beggining of symbian when other phones
could just make calls, you had more options.
just say iphone is not for me, i hope i can get my n900 soon.
I had an N900 and its horrible. Half of the hardware is unusable because of lack of apps. No GPS, no front video camera apps, no functionality you would expect from a PDA phone… If you are a linux geek who hates usability and love command lines, then you will love the N900. I sent mine back after a week, just ordered an HTC.
Just bought N900, My brother has an Iphone, Now he is jealous!!
so far I enjoy my N900….all my friends are jealous as well…not to mention the video quality and features on this phone….try X TERMINAL….
Finally some comparing that isn’t “It’s not apple so it sucks.”
The only thing that’s keeping me from getting one is the size. I like small and light phones. I guess i’ll wait and see if they come up with a “mini” version like they have with some of their latest phones… wait… right this isn’t a phone. Almost forgot that.
These “get a real camera/videocamera/computer” and whatever is bull. You’d have to pay another couple hundred for those.
Not to mention they are 5x the size of the phone.
The N9oo is definitely better than the iphone.A phone is better than another phone if it’s networking and camera is better than the other phone. Only disadvantage I see from the N900 is popularity.IF people start buying this phone it’s popularity will also increase. The N900’s interface is excellent.
I think Nokia is trying hard to catch iPhone. I mean they worked hard over the past 2 years to come out with a mobile device that is similar or less than the iPhone? Another thing… Nokia couldn’t get rid of the keyboard. I don’t think this is a “Feature” its a draw back really (iPhone has a landscape keyboard) But since Nokia lacks the “multi-touch” screen capability, they were obliged to put a physical one. Anyway… one should try N900 and go back to iPhone to realize the difference… iPhone is very responsive .. its something Nokia really has no solution to.
You are Right 100% !!!! it´s true!!!
Hi, I just got my N900. What a great phone. Better than all my previous ones ( which included E61, E71, iPhone 2G ).
N900 has a speed which wins iPhone, multiple apps runs at the same time, great camera, the best web browser so far in any phone.
Navigation works and it’s OK for a free one.
Multiple desktops are great.
Great mediaplayer.
I gave my iPhone to my wife…N900 is so much better!
i am currently using a nokia n97,i love it but loved what i read on here about the nokia N900..cant wait to have one,was formerly thinking about getting iphone 3gs but now i think i am changing my mind…N900 is the BOMB!
I have had my N900 for 2 days now and love it. I was temped to get the iPhone but was fortunate enough to read up about the N900 before I purchased the iPhone.
For me, the N900 wins hands down. I do not need itunes installed, I can use my phone with my Linux PC (iTunes does not run on Linux natively) and I feel that my phone is a computer and not a limited device that you get with the iPhone. Their is no need to break the law and jailbreak my phone (illegal in the UK) to get the full potential of the device.
I am a happy chappy!! (Btw, I do like the iPhone, only I like the freedom of the N900 better)
nokia n900 is for scientist
iphone is for scientist’s student.
get my point?
I started with a 770,
then 800,
I refused to to get the 810,
and with the arrival of the 900 at the horizon
I decided to buy a 1st gen Iphone.
It is running pretty smoothly with the latest OS version,
and if I would spend a fraction of the amount of hacking
I *had to do* just to get a PIM app work properly on the 770/800
it would be even better.
I will get the new iPhone in summer.
I’m a person who’s driving a car, not one who’s fiddling around with it on the front yard.
mork: you will want the new Maemo 6 Nokia device coming out this year.
Maemo5 is for early adopters, they are polishing it to release Maemo6 which will be ready for prime time. The device will be with a capacitive screen that will be bigger too and the phone will be very slim with no physicla keyboard. That’s what I heard anyway.
Maemo 6 with no physical keyboard is a way to go for Nokia if it wants to compete with iPhone. After playing with the iTouch, I used it to get my emails, making skype phone calls while in Japan, reading news… All I need is just another cheap phone for calling and receiving purpose, may be with a camera on it.
Overall, I love the iTouch/iPhone for its convenience and multi-touch interface. My Nokia E61i suddently beome outdated. However, I really hate all the shortcomings of iTouch/iPhone especially the control it placed on iTune, no external memory card, and no other way to get to its root directory. I remember when Apple came out the famous TV ad back in 1984 super bowl (when Joe Montana and Clark won the superbowl), apple represents a rebel to fight against the controlling IBM. 15 years later, apple becomes the controlling force itself and the Americans love it. Sad. Now, I just hope Maemo will become a liberating force.
onsen: well said mate.
I have had the iphone 2g and 3g and loved them (to a certain extent). Now i have the iphones and the nokia n900. I have to say, they both are great phones in their own ways. Iphone is more responsive (touchscreen), but the n900 isn’t slow by any means, just not as responsive (touchscreen). FM transmitter is awesome on the n900, game plays is outrageous!!! N900 has emulators ranging from nes to mame. Also, i don’t use my keyboard or touch screen to play my games, i use my Wii remote!!! Web browsing is a given…N900 is great. I have been using it on edge without any problems with youtube, or any other flash based site for that matter.(imagine 3g or wifi). I am actually a tech geek (glasses and all, plus i cant dance)…so the challenge of hunting down scripts and commands to enhance the n900 in almost every way is exciting to me. Now as for navigating through the phone, the iphone sort of wins as you can go directly to any app versus going the extra two steps on the N900 to get to apps. also the music player on the iphone LOOKS better than the default music app on the n900, but for me thats the extent of it. Browsing is also great on the iphone, because iphone’s popularity has motivated websites to offer alternative sites formatted and coded for the iphones browser. All in all i think they are both awesome phones that will continue growing, just in two totally different directions for two totally different types of consumers.
p.s. I like my n900 better though. lol.
hi Artiste:
by the way..since you are a tech geek…by any chance you know how to transfer texts from nokia phone to n900?since this nokia n900 is a computer based tablet rather than a phone….I know there’s a way to it, but I guess I wasn’t a programmer so I need help.Greatly appreciated…I already contact nokia tech support but unless there’s new nokia suite or maemo 6 come out…otherwise I won’t be able to transfer my texts.Thanks
Alex
iPhone or N900? Different beasts. The iPhone is a closed single click environment, that doesn’t support multitasking. The N900 is a ineffecient click-click-click-click-click environment that’s open and supports multitasking. The N900 is more fun, the iPhone more productive. I use both next to each other. If I have to choose: the iPhone over the N900 without a heartbeat.
“The N900 is more fun, the iPhone more productive”
Not the other way round???
Ok Ive had an iPhone for the last year and a half. Over time the iPhone 3g gets to be very slow, has tons of errors, yes the interface is way better, but all in all the N900 completely blows it out of the water. ATT sucks, T-Mobile prices it out better and has the same coverage. I dont pay for internet at my home (since im a college student and have low funds) and the N900 lets me use the phone as a modem without jailbreaking the thing (which made my iPhone so slow that I had restore it to the original OS to have it be normal). Not to mention that all of the apps offered by apple are useless wastes of money and or time. Plus apple left so many damn features out of the iPhone. Cant use songs from your playlist as ringtones, you have to edit them down to 30 seconds before u can use them, you cant watch flash videos, you cannot record video, which I WILL NEVER carry around a camera and a video camera just in case i feel the need to capture a moment, I dont care enough to do that. Thats why I want these options on my phone!!! Yea email is easy and it syncs great with your macbook pro or whatever u have, however, it just doesnt cut it!!! Apple is way overpriced and yea ppl keep saying only X amount of $ with a 2 yr contract but if you break it or you want a new one it will cost you the 900$ they charge for new ones. I really dont care what all these angry responses say about how good the iPhone is because I have tested it out for 1.5 yrs and ive had the N900 for a month and when I look back at the iPhone i think it is more befitting as a handle for a baby rattle than for use of a full grown adult.
Stackin Chips….I am totally agreed with you.not to mention there are two 5 mega pixel camera available front and back…I am loving my N900….just hope they can make the sms transfer easier since this is really a tablet device rather than phone.Have fun and hope you enjoy it the rest of the way
BTW…I am using tmobile and with unlimited of internet and texts…with tax included I am paying about $80 a month and plus no contract involved…just love the freedom of owning this device.
yervant, apple fanboy muuuch?
n900 provides powerful software and hardware in a compact package without manufacturer nanny’ing while iphone is powerful simplicity, as per my sales pitch when im at work “It’s soo simple it doesn’t even come with an instruction manual”.
I would love to have the n900 so as to get that iphone style integration and performance but without looking like another brick in the wall and have some freedom
I had iphone 2G and iphone 3G.
I bought Nokia N900 and it’s by far much better than everything else I tried.
even my nokia 770 was better than iphone. (but that one was not cell phone)
just search for carman application and see for yourself what those nokias can do.
N900 simply rocks and if you didn’t try it don’t speak.
by the way to all iphonies,(now I am a N900ie) :P wear your gloves and try to call with that creepy iphone (but don’t dial with your nose)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN19mO4PrDg
I longed for an iphone, but I’m glad about my choice of n900 in the end. I’ve not regretted my choice. Had it for a week and I simply love it, love it. I’ve also worked the iphone before, which by the way looks and feels basic compared to the 900. N900 rocks and its a machine for adults, unlike the student iphone, and it comes packed with capabilities and potentials, too. N900 is futuristic and its a device built for yrs to come, with its many features (front camera for video chats, skype calling capability, 5 mp camera, slide out k/b, replaceable battery, expansion slot for micro sd card for increased memory, not to mention other features and the OS and fast internet browsing xp) while the iphone appears dated. Nothing to compare with it for now (perhaps, and only perhaps, the 4th gen iphone (?)). Nice review, by the way.
I finally bought the N900 because my 5 years old was complainting about me using the iTouch/iPhone for all the time. I gave the iTouch/iPhone back to my daughter so that she can play with her games. The night I got the N900, I gave it to my duaghter so that she can play the Dora Flash game (she couldn’t play it with the Windows Me computer. Voila, she could played the whole game on N900. Better yet, she can view her Anpanman video directly on N900 too! That really amazed her. Now, she wants my N900. The iTouch/iPhone just sit on the table.
Don’t get me wrong, iPhone is really good for its ease of use. Great for girls who doesn’t even want to open the hook of a car she drives. N900 is more for man who wish to venture out and take control of oneself.
go home iphone..u getting old now.u need rest.go and get more features to beat n900.
I’ve had the iphone 3gs 32gb for about 6 months now – it’s only saving grace is the quality of gameplay it offers.
Calendar app – horrible, file system management – horrible (and that’s after jailbreaking), ability to sync information – horrible, media managemet – horrible (windows media player mobile, although a bit choppy in its aesthetics, was functionally superior), email management – horrible, camera – terrible if lighting isn’t perfect (although windows mobile isn’t much better in this department), web browsing – horrible (give me opera for wm any day, autoscaling paragraphs made it so much easier to see everything, and inbuilt download management was smooth)… I could genuinely go on…
Before buying this travesty, I had owned many symbian (s60) and wm (2005 – wm6.5) based phones and genuinely thought that the limitations wouldn’t be as inhibiting towards my overall experience, but after going through it, I’m now wishing I had spent my money on manure or something and kept the n95 8gb I had.
To all you apple fanboys – “I don’t care about that feature” or “it works for me” or even “apple has their reasons” doesn’t cut it to justify the devices shortcomings. A badly designed piece of software is just that. Now bad by my standards may be good by someone elses standards – I realise that much, but oversimplifying or underdetailing software shows a lack of concern for or knowledge about the consumer demographic or competitive environment in which one is releasing their product.
Once you’ve owned an n900 for 6 months, come and talk, but until then, shut your mouths, read the article properly, do some bloody research for once, and ask if you don’t know instead of yammering on like a bunch of tools, thereby pushing the “apple fanboy” image even further down. Respect what’s on the market, and experience or research before you bring something down.
It’s funny how apple fanboys say they don’t need multitasking because it’s not needed / useless / only drains the battery / confuse people?! What?
There was even somebody saying that how the iPhone does (saves the state of the app and hibernates it) handle applications is the best way and it’s the future of the mobile industry??? :D lol…
But then when they heard about the iPhone 4.0 that will have a dual core processor and TRUE multitasking then they go mental for it like Apple have invented multitasking?! LOL :D
Apple products….wasting your hard earn money,same apps,different devices,all need to connect to Apple…just a name.
Nokia N900?you find out after you use it…then judge.
I hated how American products always used commercial to compete with other products on the market and by misleading all the consumers.If you ever pay attention to the automobile commercial….chev,gm,any American car was better on mileages then Honda, Toyota?But at the same time Japanese car makers will never mention any of that toward American cars yet….you will see 80% drivers are still using Japanese made or imported car on the street….why?you be the judge.If is a good car, good mobile phone, any good products speak to itself.Not to mention how easy it is to crack or hack into any Apple products…People…don’t judge anything by its brand name or popularity,use it before you speak for others.I used both devices…I have to say…Nokia is still the king of all mobiles world and it will go a long way & far beyond any Apples….
Nokia has always been miles ahead of the competition in terms of innovation. Apple only claims to innovate, but what they really do is imitate and polish (yes, I agree most Apple products look nice and are easy-to-use). My Nokia N95 could do everything an iPhone could long before it (e.g. recording videos a nice new feature in the 2009 iPhone 3Gs? My 2007 N95 could already record videos!).
With the N900 Nokia once more released a device that is far superior than anything else on the market, and I foresee a bright future for Maemo-based devices. The open source approach alone makes the choice between N900 and iPhone pretty much a no-brainer in my opinion.
Finally, here in Belgium the N900 (599 euro retail price, simlock-free) is actually cheaper than the iPhone 3Gs 32 (675 euro retail price, simlock-free)!
I’m shocked about all your comments. well done everyone.
I have never used an Iphone before so i can’t judge them.
I have been thinking of buying N900 and after reading your comments, arguments and opinions, I THINK I WILL GO FOR N900.
Everybody thinks it is the best.
@Jurgen: yeah the N900 is cheaper in the UK too than the iPhone 3GS (both unlocked), which is ridicoulus in my opinion, not because the N900 is too cheap, nooo, because the 3GS is hugely overpriced!
I bet the N900 costs much more to build than the iPhone. Apple is RIPPING EVERYBODY OFF, no wonder they have a 20% profit margin =8-|
@Rita: don’t buy THE best handset because that doesn’t exist! Buy the one that’s the BEST FOR YOU!
You’ll only know which is best for you if you spend some time and play with all the different prospective phones. Believe me.
It depends on your requirements. The reason I’m sticking with my iPhone is simply because no viable synchronisation exists between the N900 and my Mac. I use my phone extensively and input a lot of data (emails, notes, spreadsheets, word processing documents, and databases). I’ve realised that although it’s easy with most phones to get data in it’s a different story getting it out. There’s no point putting calendar events in any phone that won’t synchronise with my calendar on my computer.
The N900 looks really great and I’ve been following the thread about isync synchronisation. At the moment anyone with a Mac should be wary with using the N900 as it doesn’t synchronise easily.
I use ical, mail, addressbook, and bento (database) daily. All these apps synchronise seamlessly with the iPhone. Bento is superb as it allows you to create unlimited databases for just about anything. This means that instead of buying an app for every task I need doing, I just create a new Bento database.
Phones are no longer just about making calls, but about data exchange. I do think that the N900 is an excellent piece of kit, but at the moment the iPhone is more mature.
Before you all start yelling and screaming I did mention it depends on requirements. I never judge a phone on it’s specification alone, but on my requirements. My requirements are that it must sychronise with the Mac OS especially with mail, ical and addressbook.
IPhone OS uses OS X which in turn = BSD variant. N900 is Maemo-based, LINUX OS. I’m sure that N900 made the right choice based on facts of the past as regards BSD vs. Linux… (Ps. Linux community is too powerful). (Ps.2 You can already see the many new smartphones coming with Linux based OS). Gluck Iphone!
To Simon:
That is only becuase you stick with Iphone….apple products…so you stick for life without innovation and imagination…but if you prefer or used to it…who cares?right?
After playing with the Nokia N900 for 2 weeks now, I came to the following conclusion:
If what you need is a reliable and hassle free phone that is mature and up and running, go for iPhone. The multi-touch is really top notch. The emailing and widgets are very easy to use. Last night, I found my wife took my daughte’s iPhone and start using it. She would nver be able to use the N900, period. The N900 is too flexible for her. Let’s face it, most people just want a phone that is very easy to use, with no learning curve and start running from day one.
For the present N900, it has a lot of promises. The open system is great but it can be a hassle for people who doesn’t want to deal with it. The phone has no dedicated keys for the calling. Last night, when I tried to make a phone call and somehow the phone icon doesn’t work, I have to reload the phone shortcut and replace the one that ddn’t work. So, I make a list of things that can make the future N90X better:
1. It has to cut down the size of it by eliminating the keyboard.
2. It has to have something like the multi-touch, the present touch is no good.
3. It has to have a set of dedicated keys for calling and ending the phone.
4. It has to have a backspace key to return to the previous menu.
See, this is really so simple to do. By doing so, Nokia can and will beat iPhone to the ground. I love the Nokia N900 for its usability. I can never go back to iPhone again becasue I tasted the freedom, the power and flexibility even though I have to endure the brick like size of it. In summary, the FREEDOM. I wait for that Nokia N90X to come. May be Nokia is already working on it.
Onsen you are right :)
Though you have to understand what the N900 is. The N900 is meant to be a testing ground for Nokia to polish Maemo for the everyday users.
So the N900 is meant to be for early adopters, tech enthusiasts and people who want something different or to taste the future.
The N900 is a sort of “prototype” for Maemo6. So the N900 had to be fully functional for the programmers and the community.
So by the second half of 2010 when they come out with the device that they intend to sell to the mass market it will be polished and have loads of apps already!
This new device will:
- be very slim and sexy
- without hardware keyboard
- capacitive screen
- multitouch
- More “Phone” type form factor with dedicated call etc. buttons
- running Maemo6.
Although I won’t buy that because the N900 is the ultimate device form me, although I’m a programmer, so hardly an average user :)
I really like N900’s form factor and the hardware keyboard and the resistive screen because of the stylus. Although the screen could be a just tad bigger, but then it wouldn’t be as pocketable tough…
Onsen:
you have to learn to use n900 before you can speak.why don’t you go back to your iphone….easy to use, simple and boring.no hard feeling.
we should all appreciate today’s technology rather than comparing it…good luck
hi to all..
i want to but a mobile and i got confused and tired of comparing iphone 3gs with n900 and after i read what u wote i got more confused ..so i really need a big help to know what to buy …thanks to u all and God bless u
also i wanna ask about the slide …does it have a bad movement in future or like not before …. and isnt it a little bit bigger than iphone//
Alex, don’t get me wrong. I have been using the N900 daily. Today, my daughter just “borrowed” my N900 so I am stuck with the iTouch/iPhone, which I use it as the phone through the Wi-fi network. Believe me, I want my N900 back TONIGHT! But most people want a reliable phone that can make a phone call (with buttons), surf the web using the widget and get the email easily. When I got the mail in Japanese inside the html format, it became unreable while the iTouch/iPhone works beautifully. For GPS navigation, I got all the instant routing even in the remote hotspring town while the N900 doesn’t even get close. Yes, Nokia will do it but we have to warn ourselves not to become a fanboy of Nokia. My client who is a famous artist performing in the upcoming MGM LA. She was so excited about the N900 that I told her because she said she is tired of the iPhone. When I show her the N900, she got turn off of the size, weight and the interface. The DOS screen, VPN, flexible menu, all don’t work on her. Even I show her how great the N900 browser is, she is not that excited. Here we have an example of someone who is using an iPhone and want to switch, but got turn down by those factors I mentioned above. That would be a great opportunity for Nokia to make good on her promise. Keep everything that the N900 has, just cut down the size and weight, add dedicated buttons to the phone and volumn, back space. That is more cosmetic changes. Not a big deal to programmers and greek like us, but it makes a big difference to the mass. And the mass appeal is Nokia need. Well, she can also make N90x more sexy too.
By the way, Alex, I run a software company and a team of programmers working under me. I guess I am not to be considered an outsider, right? Our clients include many world’s biggest banks, listed companies and professional firms including the big four. Can I speak now? My desire is to find a perfect phone that can run our software smoothly using the browser. In fact, I asked my staff to write a widget using Maemo for our clients but he was kind of hesitating because of the number of phones in use at the moment. Alex, don’t fall into the trap. I love the N900 and want it to succeed.
@Onsen: As I said earlier the N900 wasn’t intended for the mass, that’s only to test Maemo out in a phone and get us geeks excited.
Nokia is releasing a Maemo6 phone this year that’s exactly what you described above and will be intended for the mass :)
@Anton: it depends how you comparing their size…
The N900 is in fact shorter and narrower but more thicker than the iPhone:
Nokia N900: 110.9 x 59.8 x 18 mm
The iPhone 3GS: 115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm
I personally prefer the N900’s form factor because even though it’s thicker it’s still only 18mm and for me because it’s shorter and narrower it’s more pocketable.
Anton…I agreed with Zoltan.Depends on what people prefer….I am a girl but I loved the weight on my n900…I always prefer heavy than light weight.Like I said,people are trap in Apple’s products..simply…they are lazy to learn something new so they stuck with something ordinary.period.Thanks for the info…
Nokia n900is not for Mass,not to mention all my friends who used iphone before all given up on it and switch to nokia or else. It is for smart individual.
That’s right N900 is not for the masses. When I walked into a Vodafone store to have a look at a working display model(they have loads fired up there to try out) there wasn’t any. It wasn’t even advertised anywhere in store.
I asked for one so I can play with it and it was locked away in a cupboard and wasn’t even charged… So they asked me to go back in a couple of hours and they’ll charge it for me?! lol
Anyways I went back and the guy said he can’t really demo it for me because he doesn’t know anything about it, they weren’t trained on it. I said no worries I know it very well :) By the way they had about 6 iPhone 3GS on display to try out and everybody was in “iPhone in store NOW” T-Shirt :)
Basically I got the idea that the only people who will be buying the N900 are the people who know what that is and specifically look for it and not just stumble accross it in the store :) Vodafone will not try to sell it to Average Joe’s because the customer services would be a nightmare for them then.
And even after all this I learned that the N900 is the second best selling phone right after the iPhone 3GS :)
Nokia said that they have never thought they’ll have this big demand right at the beginning so they cannot keep up with the demand basically.
Cannot wait to see how the new Maemo6 device will do then! :)
Another thing: My friend just bought an iPhone 2 weeks ago and he loves it as obviously you would. But already he is getting frustrated while finding out the downsides… He cannot set an MP3 to ringtone. WTF? lol
And he needs a MAC computer to do a lot of things which he doesn’t and won’t have.
Alex:
You obviously have a problem with Apple. For you information, I also use Linux and Windows.
My perspective on technology is that it needs to do the job I want and should do it efficiently. Apple does this very well. I like to use open source and have tinkered with FreeBSD, I use the terminal on my iPhone and the command line on my Mac. The main reason I use proprietary software is that they save me time. I don’t have the time to tinker with things to get them working it just isn’t cost effective. The iPhone does what it was designed for very well. I’m sure once the n900 matures it will do the same. I just don’t understand people criticising software/hardware that is very good because they don’t like the company. It comes across extremely immature.
Hey, I’ve been using the E90 communicator for the past 2 years and it was amazing, and now since it have been stolen I’m looking for the next phone. Honestly I was hesitate about what I’ll get, is it iPhone or BB. Since I used BB 2 years ago I know what that phone will provide and how boring it can be, and the iPhone needs 2 free hands to use it efficiently, so I didn’t know exactly what I’m gonna get!!
But I saw the N900 and fall in love with it from the first sight. The device is kinda confusing but in few minutes you’ll get used to it. Great device and amazing features..well done Nokia!!
cheers ya’all!!
Padi:
I’ve not read all these posts, but your perspective on the iPhone does not appear to be correct.
The iPhone is far from boring. It ca easily be used with one hand only and there’s an app that does just about anything you want. Most decent apps need to be paid for but that doesn’t come to more that $1-5 generally. There are some more expensive apps, I purchased the Navigon GPS which is superb, I only need one device to do most of my computing. I use more than 10 email addresses, can edit word processing documents, create databases, control my presentations on my Mac, track and log my jogging activity, read my news, update my blogs, securely manage all my passwords and sensitive data, check the weather, update my todo list and check it, make notes, track my expenses, record meetings via audio, sync with google calendars, track my business mileage, check my bank balance, listen to my podcasts and music, watch movies, manage my contacts and everything synchronises seamlessly with my Mac should my iPhone break, get lost or stolen. Of course, I could go on, I’m just trying to re-address the balance that seems a little mis-informed about the iPhone’s ability.
The only real negative with the iPhone is its appalling battery life, but considering all it does, it’s no longer just a phone. The virtual keyboard works very well and as well as any hardware keyboard I’ve used on any phone. At least you don’t end up with any broken keys after a year that make typing extremely difficult.
@Simon: Just to be fair Padi didn’t say the iPhone is boring… He was referring to the BlackBerry as boring…
@Simon: to get the most out of the iPhone you have to lock yourself into the restrictive Apple world though:
- you need a Mac(90% of the people don’t have a Mac)
- use iCal and other Apple services you might not want…
- can only use Apple’s audio format for ringtones
- can only play Apple video format
- appalling battery life even though it doesn’t even multitasks
- Virtual vs Physical keyboard: you might prefer the Virtual one, but for example for me it HAS to be a Physical keyboard(I’m not alone on that one) The heavier users usually require a GOOD physical keyboard because it really is superior to any virtual one:
– it doesn’t take away a big space from the precious screen real estate
– you can feel the buttons while with the virtual one you HAVE to look at it
all times to be able to type.
– More precise, etc…
– the only negative is that it adds to the thickness but that doesn’t bother
me and the positives are hugely worth having a physical keyboard.
@Simon: also you can do all that on the N900 but without a lot of the iPhone’s limitation like monotasking & locking yourself into Apple’s restrictive world.
Also the N900 does a lot that the iPhone doesn’t and won’t.
On the I like the most:
- FREEDOM :)
- FULL webbrowser with flash 10.1
- 4 panoramic desktops
- Awesome multitasking(the best in a mobile device yet. Palm Pre is nice too ;)
- Infrared port to control the TV and other devices
- DNLA capable Bluetooth
- 2.5x higher screen resolution
- Quake III arena lol :)
- FM radio reciever & an FM transmitter
- TV out port
- 32GB onboard + 32GB expansion slot = 64GB storage capacity (all my photos,
videos, music can fit onto there.
- It plays virtually ANY video format WITHOUT the need for
CONVERSION(unlike iPhone)
I could go on and on.
I understand you like the iPhone and I admit it it’s very nice but after a month or so everybody who I know got bored with it / reached the absolute limits of it. The N900 is for these people who want more or feel cheated after finding out the afore mentioned limitations and Apple restrictions.
I would still get an iPhone for my wife if ti wasn’t so hugely expensive for what it is really: a nice shiny toy. N900 is for professional / enthusiasts.
Yes you can make the iPhone to do some more advanced stuff too but you either have to literally rape it to do so or / and jailbreak it in the first place.
It does seem like it’s horses for courses. However, at the moment the n900 doesn’t realistically support anyone using a Mac. There’s no isync. The user base for Mac is fairly large and I personally wouldn’t encourage anyone using a Mac to get an n900. They would get frustrated at the inability to easily sync things such a repeating appointments.
As a stand-alone, the n900 is excellent and I must say the temptation to get one was pretty strong. But I’m in the situation where my phone isn’t just a phone anymore and synchronisation for me is a must.
My apologies to Padi, the BB was referred to not the iPhone
I also don’t get all this freedom malarky. I can do what I want with my mac and iPhone. When I look at some of the methods needed to get the n900 to do some stuff on the Maemo discussion board, it’s not for the faint hearted. I can jailbreak an iPhone in 10 minutes and restore it in the same time. I can use bash on it and have spell checking in any app. I don’t see any limitations. The terminal app on the iPhone is excellent and iFile allows you to edit any file on your phone.
Let’s be honest, most of the extra functionality for most devices that don’t come out of the box require some programming knowledge. This is as true of Linux (essential in my opinion) as it is of Windows and Mac, and any form of unix. If freedom means your choice to tinker with the core system that freedom applies to all OS’s, you’ve just got to know what you’re doing. If you don’t know then you’re as limited with the n900 as with the iPhone and you’re going to need someone else to tell you how to do it.
As for the n900 being for professionals and implying the iPhone isn’t there are plenty of us out there who completely disagree. I know guys who control their servers through them remotely.
Your rape analogy is rather appalling. Computers are designed to take input and do with it what they are told. This certainly isn’t rape. Plenty of people run their arm processors at a speed higher than recommended, this would fall into the same category, as would any sort of development on something that was designed for one thing, but has been used for something else. People are doing this every day with customisation, hardly rape!
I’m beginning to sound like an advert for the iPhone, which I’m certainly not, there’s plenty I don’t like about the company. But I do get a little tired of people slagging something of because they don’t like the company. Whether folks like it or not the iPhone has revolutionised the phone industry and taken smartphones to the next level. The fact that it’s still one of the most sold phones shows its success. What is the problem with that? I really hope the n900 becomes a success, because it’s a good piece of kit. But I don’t need to elevate it by slagging off something else that is clearly very good.
To Simon:
key:Apple designed,you followed.
end of story
Have you ever been to Japan? you will know the meaning of “technology” over there.
Freedom of speech.Freedom of using mobile phone.
enjoy yourself surrounded by Apple.
@Jurgen N95 couldn’t browse the net like iPhone did. Browsing internet like a computer ( nearly ) changed the game. Plus we have to accept they re-innovate the touch screen concept. How many touch screen phones did we have before iPhone? Not many. How many do we have now? Too many.
N900 looks like a decent phone. I would choose it over iPhone if it works. ( I have bad experiences with N series because they usually became too slow after some time )
Hi Alex, from looking at your posts, I assume English is not your first language, either that or you’re a 12 year old in disguise.
Your references to Japan hints at your origin. I still, don’t understand why you need to insult people in your posts? Here you are telling people how great the n900 is and how bad the iPhone is yet you’re having problems getting your text messages from one Nokia to the other! Don’t you think Nokia is a little flawed? Have you ever tried Nokia’s sync suite? It’s an atrocious programme. either it disables the editing of your contacts or is unable to synchronise multiple calendars especially repeating appointments.
I’m quite happy using Apple, it’s great to use good software. I still don’t get your ‘freedom’ idea. I’m assuming you’re running your own server to access the internet and not ‘locked’ into a phone provider, because they sure don’t come free. They also have EULA and SLA’s that you agree to when you sign up. Nothing is free and everything has restrictions, even good old open source.
Alex, if you ever design a piece of kit as good as the iPhone, I’ll be sure to listen to you.
@Kaan: I heard that the iPhone gets very sluggish after time too. Not sure why? Probably because of the amount of apps users install :D
Let’s hope N900’s Maemo platform is different in this respect.
I don’t think any bad experience with Nokia or N series devices(Symbian) will apply to the N900 since it has completely different bases.
I think if you used the N900 more, you would realize what a train-wreck it is. I am finally dumping this POS someplace far far away from me. I tried to switch from the iPhone to the N900, what a mistake, here is how it ended… http://nokian900reviews.blogspot.com/2010/01/review-of-n900.html
I get everything that you don’t get with iphone.AT&T finally had their settlement toward their customers…go grab your money back.doesn’t matter where I’m from or where I am going.(I am not Japanese so respect the culture)but you sounded just like the rest of the A…..arrogant and foolish enough to think you & your Apple are the best.Sync text will be available later on this fall.no big deal for me.but you just can’t compete,never can compete with Japanese & European tech world.Unlike you, they will never take credit on something they don’t invent or create.unlike you “A”….always take someone else’s hard-work for your own credit.I’ve seen it too many times.until you can take your ego out,you are just the “average Joe”….go get an IPAD…why not?is the “best” right?at the end…why you care so much?tech world change every single day…keep up with it.
now I am pretty sure of one thing…you do work for Apple…just like how you assuming I was 12…ha ha…so why you even waste time to chat or leave comments with a 12 year old girl?I will speak to Al when we have lunch the next time..maybe he can hire you as their “Apple is better than Nokia” columnist.
@apes: You are already converted irreversibly ;) :D
Well I hope I won’t end up like you (although I’m not an iPhone user)
I can understand if you didn’t like the N900, it’s not for the masses yet.
Nokia is producing a Maemo6 phone this year that will appeal for a much wider range of users. Maybe have a look at that when it comes out :)
About the games — it’s a Linux, and an open platform… there’s a lot of stuff out there already that will run on the N900 almost without porting or with minimal effort, and the FOSS community will be all over the task. Plus, the physical keyboard is going to make playing games much, much easier than a touch interface.
Eero: exactly plus there will be chargeable brand new games MADE specifically for Maemo & N900 too it just takes some time same as it was for the iPhone, Android & Palm OS too…
The FREE Dos games can be run if you want them, that’s something you CAN do and not that you MUST do. I personally love the old DOS games because I loved them when I was young that’s it, and happy to play them again :) I actually still play them sometimes on my 3.2 GHZ dual core intel PC :D lol
And “Apes” regarding your blogpost, you DON’T even ever HAVE to go to terminal at all that’s there for the super users… stop making up bullshit…
Anybody who want the iPhone’s ease of use + Maemo’s features look out for the Maemo6 device from Nokia later this year with capacitive screen and thin sexy body! :)
I am really looking forward to the Nokia N90X, in a mass market form, and hopefully runs all the Ovi and Adroid software, plus the Java based ones. That will be a killer. Let us hope Nokia work it out this time, with all the fans supporting her.
@ idk
hey u are the MAN. even the article poster dint analyse like you dude. 100% everyone will agree wat you say about comparision of n900 and i phone, yes cant compare legends like Maemo OS with i-phone. n900 we are in own track and no one can control us, i-phone control their user with restricted way.
We can get cheaper mobile with the same wasy which nokia has, but still why people buying Nokia , it has standard and also it allows user to customize their phone as per their wish as like our own computer.
Last week, i saw i-phone( china make ) duplicate handset for just 115$ ( no contract, with imei code ) with all features and all pre-installed games, i compared it with original i-phone, man duplicate model has only prob with camera, other than that its equal to original iphone…
Even there are many nokia type china models, but people cant make exactly like nokia provies :) , not able to install our own mobile app to it, cant customize as per our wish.
anyone can make duplicate version of i-phone, bcos its not big issue, but no one can duplicate Maemo OS, bcos its proven.
guys dont simply fight for the handset models u have, which ever models we have we used to love it. but when we come to comparison and conclusion, we must say honest words…
till date, i was never convienced with any other mobile brand, always love nokia. it feels our thoughts and bringing it.
i’m using nokia e65, its solid handset ever, using it for 3 years. even when i saw i-phone i was not satisfied with its features. last few days im planning to change new model, compared many models in nokia, htc, i-phone with direct users. came to know best model is Nokia 5800 music express without keyboard, if with keypad go for nokia n97 mini, if different OS and like to enter in new mobile technology with future technologies best is Nokia N900.
this is not the reason i love nokia, u must have keypad when u get bored with touch screen or incase u feel any prob with touch screen u need alternative for input.
HTC, I-phone , has no proper space for typing sms, emails. those phones with only touch screen, u will really feel within few months. my few friends jumped out from i-phone and htc touch to keypad mobiles for typing purpose…
Those who need more space for typing go with keypad model, always best choice.
i had option to select nokia n97 mini for last few days, but now i have decided to take Nokia 900. there are many videos about n900 , watch 1 video u will fall for it.
Nokia always for customers needs.
I always knew the Nokia N900 kicked Apple’s butt but is good to see it listed out so well… thanks
Is funny reading the iphone peeps trying to cling on.
viisva:
nice comments…very rational thoughts.
‘All Nokias look the same omg’ ‘The IPhone looks better’. Oh yeah, I’m just about to buy a 500$ (whatever) phone because of its’ looks!
Give me a break, I’ve been using the N900 for over a month and it is completely awesome, running a dozen applications still with great response.
Also, I kinda like Apple. And since i’ve had the n900, me and a friend who actually has an IPhone (hes done jailbreak etc) have been comparing both. Well, they both are great, its just that the N900 is better, for the reasons which were explained above and more.
“‘All Nokias look the same omg’ ‘The IPhone looks better’.”
WTF? All iPhone models LOOK THE SAME :D Nokias don’t!
Also it doesn’t matter if it looks the same if you like the look of it right?
I personally much prefer the N900’s look than the iPhone’s. iPhone never appealed to me and the N900 fit my pocket better: shorter and narrower, even the depth(18mm) is still fine: the same as my old Sony Ericsson K810i and it’s not too thick at all.
I reiterate my support and reverence for N900 and the Maemo community. I’m impressed by the N900: The X-Terminal (the control I have over packages using commands dpkg, apt & Power user tools: nmap, aircrack-ng etc.), the multi-tasking (listening to music, chatting over irssi, launching like 5 browser sessions and switching between them (not a single performance issue!, remote accessing my x-terminal using wifi via openssh from my desktop etc.), FM transmitter – to cite but a few main features I’ve been using so far. It’s been said that the N900 is mostly for hackers, techies, tech enthusiast, power-users etc.. Could be so, and if that’s the case, this device must be the best smartphone out there in the market… if evaluated from an IT expert’s perspective. Experts do not use silly criterias like how slim it is to fit in the pocket or fancy touchscreen gestures available .. to judge which device is superior.
I start learning the Linux command. The feeling is like going back to use the DOS based PC. It is amazing. If I treat it as a mini-computer, this N900 is great. It is not that “smart” because it does not have all the built-in smartness aka easy to use features that require no extra effort, but it is just powerful, the best one so far that is near to be called a computer. Bravo, Nokia!
Guys Nokia N900 is not a mobile phone to have comparison with Gaming mobiles like iphone.
Nokia N900 is Mobile Computer, so do not compare with normal mobile phones. Still there no such phones to compare with N900.
Size : This is 1st mobile computer in Nokia, So its not a Issue. We got what we waited for :)
As like our computer,
-we can watch youtube videos ( which is totally not in iphone )
-Watch HD movies
-we can develop our own app for it
-wipe-out ipod or aux cable to listen songs in ur audio system,use N900 to transmit songs of 32gb by FM
-New Sci-fi type applications and games in N900
-no need of MMS when 3G is available
here is the website that will amaze you
http://www.nokian900applications.com/page/2/
these are just sample of app for n900, but thousands app are going to release soon….
Enjoy your Ride in Little Handy Computer
N900 is simply better because of better resolution and of course MUTI TASKING..
i already gave my iphone 3gs to my little brother..
The n900 is simply better.
perhaps not as popular as ipone but at least you wont find every one in your building has iphone 3gs…
@yervant
9 – The largest micro SD card is 32GB and is slower then the iphone internal HD. Why would you need more then 32gb anyway?
The iphone internal HD? It’s an SD card soldered directly on the board, dumpkopf!
Also, why do I want more disk space? Just because I can.
I want more space like 64GB on my phone so I can have all my Music Photos I’ve ever taken, Films and Series I want to watch etc… That’s why!
Yup great phone, unfortunately i could not live with it, as the battery ran out every 6 hrs. I went to nokia to look for help, and they offered to sell me a portable battery so i can charge it on the go. The portable battery pack is larger than the phone and i quote “please be aware the portable battery cannot recharge the device completely”. The only other drawback is nokia has no apps or real support for it as yet. Even if you try to download ovi or pcsuite “device not listed” is what you get back. And honestly why the F. did it not come with a cd.
So i sold it two days after buying it. However when they sort the battery i would buy it again.
@ Nour Itani:
Well the battery is just an issue with any of these powerful phones I suppose.
My friends have iPhone 3G & 3GS phones and they have those on charge at work all day because the battery runs out even quicker than on the N900.
But at least you can swap the battey in the N900 so just keep an extra charged battery with you if you abuse your phone all day constantly :D
Unfortunately we have to live with it until better batteries come out… :|
Although I would suggest you to switch off WiFi when you are on the go that saves a lot of energy.
my nokia n900 battery lasts all day…plus I runs internet,making phone call, but yoy have to shut down the bluetooth or internet while you aren’t using the device.good luck
I own a Nokia n900, it’s not only better then iphone it’s better then a laptop and a desktop.
Stop arguing guys, if you don’t use it you won’t know…
The N900 is clearly not for dummies. It’s only the last step before the Mass market ready Maemo6/MeeGo platform using phones coming later this year.
There is no point arguing which is best because it clearly depends on your needs/requirements.
The N900 IS JUST PERFECT FOR ME THOUGH :D
u know i am a big fan of nokia but i just want to say one thing that nokia or any other company never beat Apple…
now a days Apple is big DADDY of mobile phones and i love my iphone 3gs
@jitu/Romeo: Never say never ;)
i never seen any device smart than n900 really it is laptop more than this i receive note that there is update for third party software every day.you must try it to beleive
I am just in love with my Nokia N900…..so much….
nicol
while two of my friends using iphone but got hack-in twice using their identity n cc to purchase merchandise and then both of them received a call from their bank and put a stop on their card while they travel aboard….they will not have the same problem with n900
I have been the proud owner of the N900 for nearly a month now. I also own an HTC Magic and think the N900 is a far superior phone. I am a Linux user (Linux Mint and Sabayon) on my computers and love how open this phone is.
I am still playing with the phone and learning but am getting to grips with it. I have added the testing repo which has opened up a lot more to play with.
Look forward to chatting to all the other N900 users at http://www.NokiaN900Forum.net this really does feel like an enthusiasts phone, not just another run of the mill handset.
I think no need for N900 to compare this and compare that with the so common iphone, icamera, ipod, ithis or ithat…
When N900 is out, I will get it, no need to think much, iphone out early, N900 out later, I don’t need to read the detailed tech stuffs to decide..
Apple iphone keep wining the battles… but Nokia N900 WILL end the WAR.
Put money, take phone, it’s that simple.