Nokia announces Linux-based smartphone
But insists the N900 is an internet tablet'
Nokia has launched what it calls an "internet tablet", though the device's size, shape and set of features will seem to many to put it slap bang in the smartphone category.
Nokia's N900: internet tablet or smartphone?
The N900 – which leaked out earlier this week – runs Maemo 5.0, a Linux-derived OS that the firm has installed on its previous internet tablet devices and which, it has been claimed, could replace Symbian as Nokia's high-end smartphone operating system.
Nokia steered clear of a flat denial on plans to replace Symbian with Maemo on its smartphones, stating instead that Maemo merely “complements Nokia’s other software platforms, such as Symbian”.
Designed to deliver “computer-grade performance in a compact size”, the N900 features an ARM-based Cortex-A8 processor and up to 1GB of application memory, Nokia said. User-accessible memory tops out at 32GB, but is expandable to 48GB using Micro SD cards.
Users get up to 42GB of storage and Wi-Fi support
Maemo allows users to have “dozens” of application windows open and running simultaneously, Nokia added, all of which are accessed and manipulated using the N900’s touchscreen display and slide-out Qwerty keyboard.
Able to support wireless web speeds of up to 10Mb/s HSPDA 3G - 2Mb/s HSUPA - the N900 can also access the web over a Wi-Fi connection. In case you thought the cellular radio was for data only, the N900 will apparently let you make and take voice calls, and send and receive texts and MMS messages. It also has a voice-call... er... webcam.
The phone’s web browser is still somewhat of a mystery, but Nokia said that it’s based on Mozilla technology. Adobe Flash 9.4 is also supported.
The N900’s other tech treats include Assisted GPS, an FM transmitter and a 5Mp camera.
Nokia will display the N900 at its annual conference next week. The smartphone... sorry... internet tablet will be available to buy in as-yet unspecified selected markets from October. ®
COMMENTS
wow!
I think Apple has really done good for mobile and computer industry. We'll see if rebel gets eaten by revolution - which usually happens.
I mean - the world has become weird place - we might get good Windows version and this is what Linux is like nowadays.. in a mobile device with touch screen.
Nokia booklet with Maemo will be intresting.
N900 eh?
That looks good. Now to get my hands on one for a bit of testing to see if it makes good on it's promising looks.
Re: It's the apps...
@Tim Walker, it supports MS Exchange sync and Nokia desktop sync. Probably google sync too. Skype is there, but not sure about video yet, as is generic "Internet Calling" (SIP).
They've said 500E +VAT, which works out at around £500. Still a little high, but that is the RRP.
@Anonymous Coward PIM+desktop sync
This is not a PDA!!! I'm sorry, but many people confuse those devices with PDAs which they clearly are not. They are portable workstations. You do not sync down from some superior computer, you share the database. Or in face you log in from any x-terminal onto the device. The N900 will finally have enought RAM to do that comfortably.
It's the apps...
What is it about Nokia, which lends them so perfectly to the phrase "so near, and yet so far"? I feel they've only ever created one device which "does the lot" for me (my N95 "classic"), and everything else afterwards was missing one or more "deal-breaking" items which stopped me going for an upgrade.
That said, the N900 looks like the closest yet to "that upgrade", especially if it can run Skype (and video calling would clinch the deal). However, if PIM sync isn't possible one way or another - e.g. with Google Calendar, Ovi and/or my Mac via iSync - then that would be a hefty weight on the "nope" side of the scales... and this all assumes that (a) T-Mobile UK will offer it (b) for a non-eye-watering upgrade price.
Ah well - just have to wait and see...
