Nokia N900 Now

Firefox Mobile 'Fennec' Now Available for Nokia N900!

2010-02-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

Firefox Mobile (codenamed 'Fennec') is now available for the Nokia N900! This cool new mobile web browser is essentially the mobile device version of the popular Mozilla Firefox web browser.

Fennec features the Awesomebar which makes it simple and fast to access your favorite sites, tabbed browsing, Weave Sync which allows you to sync your history, tabs and bookmarks between your Nokia N900 and you home computer, as well as youtube support and an all-around great mobile web experience.

Enjoy Fennec on the Nokia N900!

To learn more and/or to download Fennec, visit:

http://mozilla.com/mobile

Nokia N900 only $469.99 at Dell with Coupon

2010-01-15T19:22:00.000-08:00

(click above image to see full size shot)

Another great limited time only deal offer for the Nokia N900.

Dell is offering the amazing Nokia N900 for only $469.99 with coupon code. To take advantage of this time-sensitive offer visit the Dell online store with this link.

Then click "add to cart" followed by "proceed to cart and checkout." Then, insert this coupon code into the enter coupon code box:

Coupon Code: 4$11W9VRS8BT0N

Click apply coupon and your screen should like the shot above ready to check out with a new Nokia N900 for only $469.99!

Enjoy this great buy!

Maemo 5 - Open Source GNU/Linux Operating System for the Nokia N900

2010-01-14T22:21:00.000-08:00

Now presenting the finest and most complete mobile computer OS to date: Maemo 5, now featured on the new Nokia N900.

Maemo is a software platform developed by Nokia for smartphones and Internet Tablets. It is based on the Debian Linux distribution.

The platform comprises the Maemo operating system and the Maemo SDK.

Maemo is mostly based on open source code, and has been developed by Maemo Devices within Nokia in collaboration with many open source projects such as the Linux kernel, Debian, and GNOME. Maemo is based on Debian GNU/Linux and draws much of its GUI, frameworks, and libraries from the GNOME project. It uses the Matchbox window manager, and the GTK-based Hildon as its GUI and application framework.

Maemo 5

Maemo 5, also known as Fremantle, is the default operating system on the Nokia N900

The UI in Maemo 5 has changed in perspective to its predecessors. It provides four fully customizable (add/remove widgets, move widgets around, change the background, shortcut to applications/contacts) "Home" screens, called Panorama Desktop. Switching from one desktop to the others is done by sliding one's finger horizontally on the background. The dashboard is accessed via the upper left icon and shows all the running applications, in a manner similar to the Exposé feature in Apple's MacOS X operating system. From the dashboard, running applications can be brought back to fullscreen by tapping the preview window or applications can be closed by tapping an X-symbol located in the top right corner of the preview window, similar to the concept of closing applications in the Windows operating system series. The application launcher, where all the installed applications can be launched, can be accessed as well from the dashboard by tapping the same area again in the upper left corner of the screen which invokes the dashboard. If no task or application is running in the background, tapping the top left icon skips the dashboard and directly displays the application launcher.

Maemo provides the Mozilla-based MicroB web-browser with complete Adobe Flash support, which can operate over a wireless connection. It supports an 800x480 display resolution, so some web pages can be viewed without horizontal scrolling. It can automatically connect to known wireless networks and download RSS feeds and email and disconnect automatically without user intervention.

Software is all installed or uninstalled using the Application manager. Users can subscribe to different software repositories which can then be used to automatically keep software up to date. The Application manager also provides an overview of everything currently installed on the system. Data can be synchronized with a PC via a USB connection, and the users files can be accessed using the standard Removable Storage Device protocol.

Dell offer over - Still offering Nokia N900 for $539

2010-01-09T15:41:00.000-08:00

The offer from Dell to get a Nokia N900 for just $479 has expired.

They are, however, still offering the Nokia N900 for just $539.99.

You can pick one up at this link.

Enjoy!

Nokia N900 Video

2010-01-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

This Nokia N900 looks so sweet!

Nokia N900 only $479 at Dell While Supplies Last!

2010-01-06T17:00:00.000-08:00

If you act quickly, you can get a brand new Nokia N900 for only $479 from Dell's online store. Follow these simple instructions:

#1. Visit Dell's online store page for the Nokia N900 at this link

#2. select "add to cart" and then on the next page "proceed to cart & checkout."

#3. Enter the Coupon Code: 8Q3R8HBT5HNWMD into the designated field and then press "apply coupon".

You should see the discount noted and then you are ready to checkout with this great deal.

Enjoy this great offer while supplies last!

The Nokia N900 is...

2010-01-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

The Nokia N900 is a mobile Internet device and smartphone, from Nokia based on the Maemo platform, superseding the N810. It runs Maemo 5 Linux as its default operating system and is the first Nokia device based upon the TI OMAP3 microprocessor with the ARM Cortex-A8 core. Unlike the Internet Tablets preceding it, the Nokia N900 is the first Maemo device to include phone functionality (quad-band GSM and 3G UMTS). It functions as a 5 mega pixel camera, a portable media player, and a mobile Internet device with email and full web browsing. It was launched at Nokia World on 2 September 2009 and was released on 11 November 2009 in the United States and 9 European countries.

The N900 was launched alongside Maemo 5, giving the device an overall more touch-friendly interface than its predecessors and a customizable home screen which mixes application icons with shortcuts and widgets. Maemo 5 supports Adobe Flash Player 9.4, and includes many applications designed specifically for the mobile platform such as a new touch-friendly media player.

Nokia N900 Hardware

2010-01-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

Processors

The Nokia N900 is powered by a the OMAP 3430 ARM Cortex A8 which is a System-on-a-chip made by Texas Instruments designed in a 65-nanometer CMOS process. The OMAP 3430 is constituted of three microprocessors; the Cortex A8 running at 600 MHz used to run the OS and applications, the PowerVR SGX 530 GPU made by Imagination Technologies which supports OpenGL ES 2.0 and is capable of up to 14 MPolys/s and a TMS320C64x, the digital signal processors, running at 430 MHz used to run the image processing (camera), audio processing (telephony) and data transmission. The TMS320 C64x main purpose is to offload the Cortex A8 from having to process audio and video signal. The system has 256 MB of dedicated high end RAM (Mobile DDR) paired with access to 768 MB virtual memory managed by the OS.

Screen and input

The Nokia N900 has a 3.5 inch resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 800 × 480 pixel (WVGA, 267 ppi) capable of displaying up to 16.7 million colors. The LCD is transreflective to permit usability over a wide range of luminosity (from daylight to dark). Haptic feedback is provided to touchscreen input by applying a small vibration or a sound; this feature can be turned on/off at user discretion. A stylus is provided to allow more precise touch input and access to smaller user interface elements. A 3-axis accelerometer allows the orientation of the screen to change between portrait and landscape mode in certain applications (such as the phone), or it can be used as user input in games and applications such as Bounce Evolution. While the dashboard or desktop is active, rotating the device from landscape to portrait mode activates the phone application (a feature that can also be disabled at user discretion). Developers may add support for portrait mode in their applications if desired. There is a proximity sensor which deactivates the display and touchscreen when the device is brought near the face during a call.

The slide-out 4-row keyboard and D-pad of the Nokia N810 have been replaced on the Nokia N900 with a slide-out 3-row backlit keyboard with arrow keys (as with previous Internet Tablets, an on-screen keyboard is also available). In addition to the English QWERTY layout, the slide out keyboard will be available in variants for Italian, French, German, Russian, Czech and Nordic (Finnish, Swedish). The Nokia N900 has an ambient light sensor that adjusts the display brightness and activates the backlit keyboard. The OS comes with a word prediction software that can be configured to the user preferences (auto capitalization, word completion, auto spacing between words).

The device has an autonomous GPS with optional A-GPS functionality and comes pre-loaded with the Ovi Maps application. Ovi Maps provides typical mapping features such as alternate views (3D landmarks, satellite, and hybrid maps), address/places of interest searching, and route planning.

The 5 megapixel back camera has an autofocus feature, dual LED flash, 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio options, and 3X digital zoom. The focal length of this camera is 5.2mm, the aperture is f/2.8, and the focus range is 10 cm to infinity. It is capable of video recording at up to 848 × 480 pixels at 25 fps. The lens, while not in use, is protected by a sliding hatch. Opening the hatch launches the camera application. Although the 0.3 megapixel front camera is capable of video recording at up to 640 x 480 pixels and pre-production units could be used for video calls over IP using Google Talk, the retail version is delivered without any software enabling video calling or video chatting.

Buttons

When holding the device facing the screen; on the top, from left to right, rocking buttons (which function as volume up/down or zoom in/out depending on the context), power on/off and camera button. Pressing the power button brings up a menu to change the profile, activate offline mode (a.k.a "Airplane or Flight mode", which turns off all emitted signals), Lock Device (either "Secure" with key code, or simple lock), and an option to end the current task.
As the Nokia N900 has fewer hardware buttons, it makes use of the touchscreen to display on-screen buttons, for example, to accept, reject and end a call.

Audio and output

The N900 has a microphone and stereo speakers located on each side of the device. There is a 3.5mm four-contact TRRS connector which simultaneously provides stereo audio output and either microphone input or video output. PAL and NTSC TV out is possible using a Nokia Video Connectivity Cable (usually included upon purchase).

There is a High-Speed USB 2.0 USB Micro-B connector provided for data synchronization, mass storage mode (client) and battery charging. Unlike previous versions of Nokia's Internet Tablet, the Nokia N900 lacks support for USB On-The-Go (the ability to act as a USB host) at a hardware level.
The built-in Bluetooth v2.1 supports wireless earpieces and headphones through the HSP profile. The Nokia N900 supports hardware capable of stereo audio output with the A2DP profile. Built-in car hands-free kits are also supported with the HFP profile. File transfer is supported (FTP) along with the OPP profile for sending/receiving objects. It is possible to remote control the device with the AVRCP profile. The DUN profile which permits access to the Internet from a laptop by dialing up on a mobile phone wirelessly (tethering), the HID profile which provides support for devices such as Bluetooth keyboards and PAN profile for networking using Bluetooth are unsupported but can be enabled.

The Bluetooth set also functions as a FM Receiver, allowing one to listen to the FM radio. The N900 also has a 88.1 - 107.9 MHz FM transmitter which can, for example, play music through a separate radio. The Nokia N900 has Wi-Fi b/g connectivity with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 (AES/TKIP) security protocols.

The Nokia N900 can synchronize with Microsoft Outlook through ActiveSync and various other e-mail and calendar clients through SyncML over bluetooth or the micro-USB.

The device also features a infrared port that can be used to turn the Nokia N900 into a remote controller using third-party software.

Battery and SIM

Battery life for the device may change with time due to ongoing development and attempts to optimize power management through firmware updates. In a press release Nokia stated they are aiming at "one day of full usage" or "Always online : Up to 2-4 days (TCP/IP connected)" and "Active online usage : Up to 1+ day". Early reports from users range from 12 hours (Wi-Fi on, web browsing, video and some GPS), to about 2 days online but not used continuously. The value appears to be highly dependent on the user's choice of background software, active desktop widgets, IM and email polling, as well as mobile network signal quality (especially 3G) and in some cases, software bugs. Nokia reported talk times are around 9 hours with GSM and 5 hours with 3G.

While previous Internet Tablets used larger batteries (1500 mAh compared with the N900's 1320 mAh), they are based on a less efficient microprocessor. Typical battery time for the Nokia N810 is around 4 hours of continuous full usage, display and Wi-Fi on (figures are much higher with sporadic usage, even with Wi-Fi on). The OMAP3 of the Nokia N900 is more efficient at reducing its power consumption giving a longer usage time despite a smaller battery.
The SIM card is located under the battery which can be accessed by removing the back panel of the Nokia N900. The microSD(HC) card socket is also located under the back cover (but not under the battery). No tool is necessary to remove the back panel.

Storage

The Nokia N900 has 32 GB eMMC and 256 MB NAND non-removable storage. Additional storage is available via a hot swappable microSDHC card socket, which is certified to support up to 16 GB of additional storage. The microSDHC card can be formatted with a supported file system such as ext2, ext3, FAT16 and FAT32.

The 32 GB eMMC is split into 3 partitions:
2GB as ext3 mounted to /home
768MiB as swap
the remainder as VFAT mounted to /home/user/MyDocs with about 25GB of free space.

The 256 MB NAND is formatted as UBIFS and contains the bootloader, kernel and root directory "/" with about 100MB of free space.
Programs larger than 500KB including dependencies should be stored in /opt which is symlinked to /home/opt and therefore located on the 2GB ext3 partition. The VFAT partition is also available for storage but needs to be used carefully as it is unmounted and exported if a usb cable is connected to the device.

Included items

The Nokia N900 comes with documentation, a battery (BL-5J 1320 mAh), a charger (AC-10), a stereo headset (WH-205), a video-out cable (CA-75U), a charger adaptor (CA-146C) and a cleaning cloth.

There is a promotion at the USA Nokia Shop giving those who order the device a free bluetooth mobile phone headset (BH-703), although there were additional delays due to the headset having limited functionality with the N900. The end date for this promotion is unknown.

In addition to the promotion above, the Spain Nokia Shop also gives a additional Nokia Extra Power DC-11 accessory. The end date for this promotion is also unknown.

Nokia N900 Software

2010-01-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

Maemo 5, also known as Fremantle, will be the default operating system on the Nokia N900. With Maemo 5, Nokia is taking the Linux desktop environment and making it work on a pocket-sized device. The UI is fully customizable; the user is able to move widgets around, add/remove widgets, change the background and add shortcut to application. This operation system comes preloaded with a variety of applications such as:

Web: Mozilla-based web browser with Adobe Flash 9.4 and RSS reader.
Phone application

VoIP: Session initiation protocol, Skype, Google Talk
Conversations (IM chat and SMS, no MMS)

Media: Camera, Photos, Media player

Production: Email, Calendar, PDF reader, Contacts
Ovi Maps (Find position on a map using the GPS, Search an address or location, Plan routes)

Utilities: Clock, Notes, Calculator, Sketch
System Tools: File manager, Application manager for downloads, Widgets

Games: Bounce, Chess, Mahjong, Blocks (Tetris), and Marbles
The OS will make use of upstart to reduce the boot time

Nokia N900 Carriers

2010-01-06T15:36:00.000-08:00

United Kingdom

GSM/GPRS/EDGE
The Nokia N900 will operate with nearly all GSM network providers in the United Kingdom on GSM, GPRS 2G, and EDGE 3G networks which use the GSM-900 and GSM-1800 frequency bands. These include Orange UK, T-Mobile UK, Telefónica O2, Vodafone, all of their MVNOs, and most small and/or regional non-MVNO providers.[71] [72] At the present time (5 January 2009), the 3 network cannot be used because its SIMs are rejected by the N900 (some very old ones are accepted). Nokia have confirmed the issue is fixed internally, but the fix will not be publically available until the next major firmware update, whose release is proving later than anticipated.

WCDMA/HSPA
The N900 will operate with nearly all network providers in the United Kingdom on UMTS 3G networks which use the 2100 MHz UMTS frequency band, with the notable exception of 3 at the time of writing (5 January 2009), due to the SIM issue described above.

United States

GSM/GPRS/EDGE
The Nokia N900 will operate with nearly all GSM network providers in the United States And other countries on GSM, GPRS 2.5G, and EDGE 2.75G networks which use the GSM-850 and GSM-1900 frequency bands. These include T-Mobile USA, AT&T Mobility, all of their MVNOs, and most small and/or regional non-MVNO providers.

WCDMA/HSPA
Of the two major GSM carriers, the device will only operate on the T-Mobile USA WCDMA and HSPA 3G networks which use the 1700 and 2100 MHz UMTS frequency bands. It will not function on the AT&T Mobility UMTS 3G networks which use the incompatible 850 and 1900 MHz UMTS frequency bands.
T-Mobile has also started to roll out 21 Mbit/s HSPA+ in the United States, although the N900 will be limited to 10.1 Mbit/s with these cell sites.[73]

Canada

GSM/GPRS/EDGE
The Nokia N900 will operate with nearly all GSM network providers in Canada on GSM, GPRS 2G, and EDGE 3G networks which use the GSM-850 and GSM-1900 frequency bands. These include Rogers Wireless, Fido Solutions, all of their MVNOs, and most small and/or regional non-MVNO providers.

WCDMA/HSPA
It will not function on any of the current Rogers Wireless, Fido Solutions, Telus or Bell Mobility UMTS 3G networks which use the incompatible 850 and 1900 MHz UMTS frequency bands. It will however be able to operate on WIND Mobile which operates on the same 1700 UMTS frequency as T-Mobile

The Nokia N900 is Here!

2010-01-06T15:22:00.000-08:00

One of the most powerful, flexible mobile computers of all time is here: the Nokia n900.

Not just a phone and a portable multimedia device, but a full-fledged mobile computer powered by Maemo 5, an operating system based on the popular open source linux technology can now be yours. Stay tuned for more!