Nokia N900 glitch leads to useful portrait mode, caught on video

File this under "it's not a bug, it's a feature" if true. According to Guyver at the maemo.org forums, some glitch in the OS caused his Nokia N900 to switch into portrait mode for everything, not just dialer and photo apps as previously allowed. We'd love to eliminate the need for two hands to run our favorite chunks of mobile software, but so far we haven't been able to recreate his trick. Try it at home if you'd like by tilting the device to launch the phone app, then sliding up the screen and closing the app. Perhaps the gang at Espoo can turn this into a legit update -- if they're awesome people, of course. Video after the break.

[RockNStuff Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:23PM]

Since Maemo is a work in progress, this'll "slide".

Get it "slide"? Because it's a slider!

[kYing Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:29PM]

@RockNStuff

When you have to explain your "joke", it's not a joke anymore.

[forgettfuldude Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:48PM]

@RockNStuff
i see what u didn't do there!

[ellocomotive Posted Nov 30th 2009 12:07AM]

@RockNStuff I still thought it was funny.

[THISISDG Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:24PM]

Hmm.. Maybe I'll try it once i actually get the N900! =)

[wako Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:25PM]

best glitch ever!

[Dragonfly Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:34PM]

Shouldn't this come as standard?

[Sarig Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:40PM]

@Dragonfly

Nokia has said it's on its way, presumably it's not available in the first firmware because they weren't done testing it, but obviously the code is there.

[zorac1229 Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:41PM]

I don't understand, how is this a glitch? Don't they need to design the layout for portrait mode? It's looks the same as on my N97 except you can do it with the keyboard in or out

[Matej Bajan Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:43PM]

@zorac1229
This is Maemo, not S60. Maemo doesn't have portrait support (except in the photo and phone app).

[CJ100570 Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:46PM]

@zorac1229 Only the phone app uses portrait mode. Everything else only works in landscape mode. If his phones does it for all apps as it shows in the video, he has a glitch. Hence the title of the story.

[wako Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:46PM]

@zorac1229


Tablet devices like the N900 are all in landscape mode. The N900s only feature in the portrait mode is the phone application, otherwise it reverts back to landscape.

[Picklesworth Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:58PM]

@zorac1229 Maemo uses GTK for its user interface stuff (same as on the GNOME desktop environment, therefore many popular desktop Linux operating systems). GTK happens to be very good at scaling between different screen dimensions, font sizes, etc. since goes inside fluid containers and widget dimensions are never hard coded but stated relative to other widgets.

So, most apps can jump naturally into portrait mode, bigger screens, smaller screens, etc. without noticing.

(Of course, there are a few exceptions, for example when developers are clueless and don't place scroll bars).

[r3loaded Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:47PM]

Considering the speed at which they're pushing out firmware updates, I've got a feeling that portrait mode will be available come launch day.

[LurkerX Posted Nov 30th 2009 12:11AM]

@r3loaded

It's already been launched...

Many distributors haven't gotten stock yet, but others have. They announced shipments from the factory to distributors like 2 weeks ago.

[rjzak Posted Nov 30th 2009 9:15AM]

@r3loaded Just how often are they pushing firmware updates?

[CJ100570 Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:48PM]

I wonder what would happen if he closes the slider? I've seen similar glitches with touchscreen phones remaining in landscape or portrait mode when you rotate them fast.

[mmoylan Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:01PM]

um cant you just use xrandr

[DaveBG Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:03PM]

Cool :)

[Bazanime Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:07PM]

Fact is Nokia has already stated they will add portrait mode in a future firmware update, plus Maemo 6 will have it baked in out of the box. So this is all moot.

[Malkmus Posted Nov 29th 2009 8:08PM]

@Bazanime

How is it moot to the people that have the device now and want to use it in portrait mode? This is at least a temporary solution, and Nokia is notorious for taking forever when it comes to firmware updates.

[Samunosuke Posted Nov 30th 2009 12:01AM]

@Malkmus
Nokia are notorious for taking forever to release firmware updates?
Have you actually ever used a nokia phone before?
I have and trust me, they release several updates but most times without the features that are lacking/clamoured for.

[Malkmus Posted Nov 30th 2009 3:38AM]

@Samunosuke
Then let me rephrase that by saying Nokia are notorious for releasing firmware with features that consumers actually want. Better? And yes, I own the N97, 5800, N810, and N93. And guess what, firmware updates or not, Nokia has sorely neglected all those devices expect the N97.

[Drakkor Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:14PM]

they already have the framework(api's) for the portrait mode, they just havent actually done anything with it

[GV2811 Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:15PM]

Portrait mode, MMS and other missing features will probably be added via a firmware upgrade at the end of this year or early next year, depending on the progress, So I have read.

[zorac1229 Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:16PM]

@(Mr. Picklesworth)
Thanks, I didn't realize that they used the GNOME shell. I knew that they were using a Linux kernel and I thought that they made the maemo shell from scratch with the same UI ideas that they had from symbian.

[silverfox Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:16PM]

I don't get it...what does this have to do with the iphone?

(joke)
there are several high end smartphones coming out end of this year or early next year. And even though, hardware will always progress, software integration will become they key component to make a smartphone stand out from the rest. I have never heard of maemo until it was implemented in the n900, but i am hoping it will successful.

[silverfox Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:19PM]

@silverfox

*but i am hoping it will be successful.

[wako Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:40PM]

@silverfox


nobody has heard of maemo because it was never introduced as a platform for smartphones. Maemo for the last four versions has been a platform for Nokia's tablet devices. Maemo 5 is the first edition that bridges the gap between a tablet device and a phone.

[Hydra Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:16PM]

Really hope it gets atts 3g radio, then I will buy it

[forgettfuldude Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:48PM]

@Hydra
you want nokia to downgrade it?

[XChrisX Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:55PM]

@forgettfuldude So let me guess you think the current tmobile bands it supports currently is an upgrade? Don't just jump on the bandwagon because everyone else is. The 3g radio AT&T supports is the standard, and yes I'd prefer the n900 on AT&T as well.

[Hydra Posted Nov 29th 2009 5:00PM]

@forgettfuldude Feel free to correct me if i'm wrong, but I do believe other countries use the same 3G bands that ATT uses

[Munk Posted Nov 29th 2009 7:39PM]

@Hydra Not for 3g. Thus the NAM versions (used in US/Can).

[corduroy Posted Nov 29th 2009 10:52PM]

@Hydra
ATT uses 3G bands of 850 and 1900 for 3G (mostly 1900 - not paired)
Europe uses 1900 and 2100 for 3G
TMO US uses 1700 and 2100 for 3G (Europe and TMO pair their bands - one for uplink and one for downlink)

[Wesley Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:19PM]

Nice one Nokia

[tastypotato Posted Nov 29th 2009 4:37PM]

I've been able to do this on my Samsung SCH-i760 since the day I got it...

I've personally never found it useful.

[Hydra Posted Nov 29th 2009 5:05PM]

Without the att 3G bands, they are singling out the following countries for the most part, preventing 3G in the following (on most carriers)

Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Australia, Thailand , Philippines and Indonesia

[Munk Posted Nov 29th 2009 7:43PM]

@Hydra They have never intended to release in most of those markets. Nokia has always said that this is a niche product and version 4/5 in their maemo strategy that is aimed at early adopters, developers and beta testers/ enthusiasts. It is NOT meant to be for the average consumer yet. Also, im not so sure about no 3g. All of asia has similar 3g frequencies and the n900 works perfectly on 3.5g in uae.

[Vizzy Posted Nov 29th 2009 5:10PM]

"Try it at home if you'd like"

I'd like to as soon as I actually get my N900. I mean, when the hell is it going to be finally released here in the UK?

[wako Posted Nov 29th 2009 6:35PM]

@Vizzy

it is released in the UK... its just that distributors arent getting enough to satisfy demand

[dansus Posted Nov 29th 2009 6:47PM]

@Vizzy

You can walk into the Nokia store and buy it on Thursday. (03 Dec)

[Hotrod Posted Nov 29th 2009 5:31PM]

Nokia should put an small position indicator for the sliding screens, to give you an idea of how far or close you are to the page you're trying to reach. Think Sense UI or iPhone.

[GrimPanda Posted Nov 29th 2009 6:05PM]

hmmmm

[ran Posted Nov 29th 2009 6:49PM]

"It's not a bug, it's a feature."

[dansus Posted Nov 29th 2009 6:49PM]

This shows the code is there, is just a matter of Q&A now.

[MarkAnderson Posted Nov 29th 2009 6:57PM]

I'm still not sure about the N900. It feels like a prototype for Nokia's next range of smartphones so I'm tempted to wait until 2010 and see if a keyboardless 910 or 920 comes out.

Or I might just get one anyway.

Hmm...

[JONNNathannn Posted Nov 29th 2009 7:09PM]

@MarkAnderson They openly admit this is for enthusiasts and not for mainstream. It's definitely a taste of more awesome to come, but just phase 1.

[Munk Posted Nov 29th 2009 7:46PM]

@MarkAnderson As Jonn said Mark, its not aimed to be a mass market device. Its a taste of the future for those who want it.

They never ever positioned of marketed it as a flagship.

The blogosphere took that upon themselves and now we see them saying "its a fail because its not ready as yet"!

[ellocomotive Posted Nov 30th 2009 12:12AM]

@MarkAnderson The fact that it is marketed to enthusiasts leaves me wondering if I should take the plunge myself. My K790 has served me well but I feel like its time to catch up. But a keyboard is a must for me right now.