Nokia's Maemo 5 RX-51 / N900 tablet gets exhaustively previewed
By Nilay Patel 
posted August 19th 2009 3:04PM
posted August 19th 2009 3:04PM
posted August 19th 2009 3:04PM
Nokia Maemo 5
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Maemo already have emulators. Just a small matter of time until they reach the Maemo 5.
It's not linux-based, people: it IS linux.
Exactly, they're both running a Linux/GNU/X based stack so they ought to be compatible except for library version differences. It's not like android or webos which have their own software running on top of the kernel. What I really ought to have asked was whether maemo will have decent drivers installed by default and no arbitrary restrictions?
Incidentely http://elinux.org/Android_on_OMAP might let it run android too.
I'm waiting for the Nokla version of this. It should be out in a couple of days.
And this is why you shouldn't use too much alcohol.
Yeah and things are very likely going to change even more when Harmattan is released.
I'm sure that I didn't reply to Eric's post. Weird.
I'm suprised no one has comented on the fact that this looks like cr*p. Nokia really need to step their UI game up quick time. This has possibly one of the most un-inspiring generic interfaces I have ever seen. And when are the going to stop using that 1980's calculator typeface? I think they should stick to selling low end handsets top the 3rd world or hire a new dsign team. A lot of the interface reminds me of some cheap chinese clone. It makes you wonder if they have ever seen an htc hero, iphone, palm pre, blackberry in their whole life. Nice to see a cortex a8 in there after the shambolic N97 that may as well have been running on 2 aa batteries and the cpu from a speak and spell it was so damn slow. Nokia are in desperate need of a flag ship device with a UI that actually looks nice IMO. They're stuck in the past. That music player interface is laughable.
Wow. Nice rant. I take it that you haven't owned a Maemo based device before?
You can customize the interface any way you want. The previous Maemo devices have seen some rather impressive UI overhauls. Maemo is an open environment. You can pretty much change as much as you want.
To my eyes the standard music player looks pretty much the same as on the iPhone. Maybe more usable though. On the other hand, why would anyone care what the music players looks like on a pocket device anyway. If it is easy to use then that should be enough. It's not like you're listening to the music with your eyes. I usually leave it running in the background and continue whatever I'm doing.
Sheesh.
I can't stand how everyone lists resistive like it's a downside. These are not T-mobile MDA Windows mobile devices from 5 years ago! Modern resistive touch screens are plenty responsive enough for finger use, while admittedly not always as smooth as a capacitive display, they have the one feature that will always win over in the minds of Nokia's target market....
The ability to use a more precise pointing device then your fingers. Nokia is a world manu, and there are many countries that use written language much more complex then ours, and until they come out with a wide spread standard for a capacitive stylus and other devices, it's hard to beat the input power of a plectrum , stylus, a random pen you find on a table ect... when your trying to get work done.
I have both an Iphone and a Nokia 5800, and while I will be the first to admit the Iphone's screen is more responsive to touch, and the pinch thing in the browser is neat, I wouldn't trade being able to use a stylus /gloved hand/ plectrum given the way I use my phone. Though I dream someday of a capacitive multi-touch screen, with all the benefits of resistive.
What, like this?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/19/stantums-mind-blowing-multitouch-interface-on-video/
Ayup!
Too bad it's probably a long way from main stream. I would love to see phone OEMs implement this as standard as single touch resistive is today. (if they ever get through the legalese / patent squatting involved with commercializing these days.)
I hope they implemented the Canola Media Player... That was the sweetest multimedia apps on Maemo and one of the best I've seen in any media device.
Im sure Nokia wont mind if you install it yourself... ;)
Seemplz.
Yeah, because heaven forbid that Nokia should sell their products in countries that prefer handwriting recognition to typing.
But wait, America is the only country on the planet, maaaaybe the UK, but mostly america.
Do your research. There are stylus' available for capacitive touch screen phones. They DO exist. The point is there is no beneficial reason to be using resistive touch screen. There isn't a single resistive touch screen I have used that is as response and easy to use as capacitive. Also capacitive screens are typically not as bright for whatever reason. But a white screen on both the n97 and iphone and you'll see what I'm talking about.
correction: I meant to say that resistive screens aren't as bright as capacitive.
How about this:
Resitive screens are cheaper, much more accurate (stylus or no). Oh, and those stylus that you can use on a capacative screen? Next-to-useless. They require you press exceptionally hard on the screen, they've got a surface area about as large as an eraser head, which pretty much eliminates the point when it comes to handwriting recognition, and you need a silo that would take up a pretty expansive space on the phone.
I'm not saying that resitive > Capacative or vice versa, but saying one should be completely eliminated is just stupid.
Just Anyone One Tell Nokia Stop Making Phones Like N97 mini... And Concentrate More On The Maemo Series...(Seriously!!)
What a stonking device, gonna be first in line at the Nokia store. Time to bash that credit card.
Nokia this is more like it, the N97 was all fail, one problem though the N900 still only has 128mb of ram when in reality it needs 256mb.
We don't know that. I really doubt that it would have only 128MB ram.
The n900 has 1ghz. 256mb physical ram, with another 768 running on virtual memory.
also, their has been a lot of rumors going around about the screen, with people saying there's a surprise in store. given that we know it's tft resistive, i'm going to assume it's multi-touch.
Wow that thing is amazing! When is it available in Europe?
Thanks! Trein
I'm definately bying one. Its a whole computer and phone in same device. The UI looks great also.
I guess Nokia is finally going to right direction.
Why does Applengadget put down resistive touchscreens whenever they have the chance to? Get over it idiots. Resistive Touchscreens will always be more accurate than crappy capacitive ones. Now for idiots who buy iShit, they'll probably just love capacitive because accuracy isn't something they're familiar with. Use any DS (fat/Lite/i) morons and you will know why a resistive touchscreen will always annihilate a capacitive one. (Pseudo-gamer here)
I guess I just don't get it ... what will this do which other existing phones cannot?
At the moment, it just feels like Nokia has caught up, which is a good thing for us, the consumers ...
But, that'all?
I think I need to spend some time using it.
Just preordered it here: http://tr.im/Ay8z can't wait!