Nokia have released a new Linux-based mobile computer/phone device called the N900. It sounds very cool. Here's a quick feature list I've thrown together from the official site and a few other places:

- 800x480, 3.5" touch-sensitive display
- "Up to" 1GB RAM, 32GB built-in disk, microSD card slot
- slide-out QWERTY keyboard
- Mozilla-engine web browser
- full multi-tasking support (meaning you can run applications in the background)
- GPS (and GeoIP tagging of photos)
- 5MP camera
- Adobe Flash support
- Bluetooth, FM transmitter
- Runs Maemo, an open source Linux-based OS with all the freedom you could want.
- Approximately USD$710

Check out the full tech spec list for more details, and the full feature list has more information about the phone and included software.

No jailbreaking, no filtered AppStore, root access and software freedom - it sounds pretty good on paper and the actual device looks nice.

More photos:

http://maemo.nokia.com/images/uploads/device1.jpg

http://maemo.nokia.com/images/uploads/device2.jpg

http://maemo.nokia.com/images/uploads/device3.jpg

http://maemo.nokia.com/images/uploads/device4.jpg

The press release about the n900 said that it will be approximately 500EUR which equals ~$850AUD.

looks fukin rad

iphone killer

pretty sure any phone that doesn't explode in your face is an iphone killer

Looks pretty cool actually. Prolly the best move was to go Linux instead of Symbian.

is it just the N97 with linux?

Looks like most of the HTC pda styled phones......nothing special there cept the used the word linux so Trog is already walking around like a half open pocket knife at the mere thought of it.

as long as they're not still partnering with douche companies like Real Player (as they have again with the N97), Jamster or Ovi

looks pretty much like n97 except it doesn't have tilt screen, and tilt screen is seriously handy.

that looks bad ass and has some of the features that make me wonder why apple have so badly crippled the iphone :(

make me wonder why apple have so badly crippled the iphone

it's so they can add a new feature each year so you'll be lining up at midnight once or twice a year for like 10 years until you finally have the phone you want

holy s*** i just watched the video and that interface is amazing.

Good Video........wonder how long it took them to come up with the circular motion zoom, at least it avoids the Apple law suit.

Still haven't said whether or not it can do Push email.....will be deal breaker for business adoption if it can't

Good Video........wonder how long it took them to come up with the circular motion zoom, at least it avoids the Apple law suit.

Apple don't have a patent on using two fingers to zoom. The Palm Pre and HTC Hero both use the same multi-touch gestures as the iPhone. In fact, if memory serves correct, Microsoft demonstrated those gestures before the iPhone was even unveiled on the Surface.

Trog is already walking around like a half open pocket knife at the mere thought of it.

trog doesn't like linux, he just dislikes iphone even more

"d[o_0]b
Posted 07:23am 28/8/09
pretty sure any phone that doesn't explode in your face is an iphone killer"

LOL, right now from the way the press makes it sound, the iPhone is an iPhone killer. After reading about all phones exploding I've definitely changed my mind about getting one. Now I'm back at looking at the Nokia's. Any word as to when the N900 will be available in Aus?

The Nokia N900 will be available in select markets from October 2009 with an estimated retail price of EUR 500 excluding sales taxes and subsidies.

So we should expect to see it in Australia a few years after that.

yeah and costing twice as much.

last edited by The Match Fixer at 18:39:12 28/Aug/09

Looks pretty nice, am so so so glad Nokia actually exploring non-Symbian OS's. Though I think their big fault is that they didn't go Android, thats going to haunt them. Interaction doesn't look very intuitive at all though.

Apple don't have a patent on using two fingers to zoom. The Palm Pre and HTC Hero both use the same multi-touch gestures as the iPhone. In fact, if memory serves correct, Microsoft demonstrated those gestures before the iPhone was even unveiled on the Surface.

There are a crapload of patents / lawsuits going on about multitouch in a portable device (ie: Surface doesn't count, although surface was ripping off MT gestures that Ishii did 10+ years ago).
http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/08/elan-turns-the-tables-on-apple-sues-for-multitouch-patent-infri/

this could make me stay with nokia, just have to see what their applications will be like

Interaction doesn't look very intuitive at all though.

The mouse gesture etc looked cumbersome to use frequently. FLickinh out then tapping the mouse then dragging the mouse...

ooks pretty nice, am so so so glad Nokia actually exploring non-Symbian OS's. Though I think their big fault is that they didn't go Android, thats going to haunt them.

Maaaaaybe. Don't forget, Android is about the cloud, and using your data in the cloud. Maemo looks more like it's about owning your data on your device.

There are a crapload of patents / lawsuits going on about multitouch in a portable device (ie: Surface doesn't count, although surface was ripping off MT gestures that Ishii did 10+ years ago).

It's my understanding that you can't patent the action of someone using two fingers to navigate a device, only the implementation. I could be wrong, but I don't think you can patent the physical act of pinching your fingers to zoom, and if you can, that's f***ing retarded.

Maaaaaybe. Don't forget, Android is about the cloud, and using your data in the cloud. Maemo looks more like it's about owning your data on your device.

Thats a good point - my thinking on Android is more about Nokia's history about supporting cool OS's, but then not moving forward for 10 years (cough s60), Android would help them with that. That and also Android already has a semi-decent app store, and its something that is actually evolving quickly. Nokia just seems to be all over the place since they tried the Ngage, and its a shame.

It's my understanding that you can't patent the action of someone using two fingers to navigate a device, only the implementation. I could be wrong, but I don't think you can patent the physical act of pinching your fingers to zoom, and if you can, that's f***ing retarded.

http://news.worldofapple.com/archives/2009/01/26/apple-awarded-multi-touch-patent/

The patent only applies in the US. I'm sure as soon as it goes international it will have trouble and will probably be thrown out of court.

that is a different touchscreen tech to the n97, that one looks good.

i played with a n97 a few weeks ago and it was f***ing ass, people who are holding their breath for that the be an iphone alternative will be disappointed.

Hmm looks great.
Hopefully its the full package.
As long as they don't try to limit what you do on it i'd love to buy one.

As long as they don't try to limit what you do on it i'd love to buy one.

It's Nokia, not Apple...

looks f***ing awesome....

just as I had made my mind up to get an iphone when I head back to Aus, this comes out!!@#$

Apple does have all the cool aps though...

While this runs linux, is it foolish of me to think it'll run normal simple linux apps or will they need to be modified for the nokia version of linux?

Obviously it won't run Linux opengl games but linux versions of notepad, browsers and perhaps network monitoring tools yea?

EDIT: Heh me too Heardy, I hope I'm glad this came out to stop me :)

last edited by Fn at 23:35:23 29/Aug/09

While this runs linux, is it foolish of me to think it'll run normal simple linux apps or will they need to be modified for the nokia version of linux?

Obviously it won't run Linux opengl games but linux versions of notepad, browsers and perhaps network monitoring tools yea?

EDIT: Heh me too Heardy, I hope I'm glad this came out to stop me :)last edited by Fn at 23:35:23 29/Aug/09

that is an awesome question. I'm sure the answer is on the site somewhere. As it runs native Linux I would be surprised if most stuff didn't at least partially work. I guess some X-related stuff might be weird (not sure if it's running some form of X to do the display stuff? Anyone looked at that?)

They have pre-orders on the site now - 500 pounds / 649 euro == $1,102.52 AUD !

Getting closer to new phone day :)
I'm gonna be boring and wait for a month or two after release at least, for real world reviews first tho.