Nokia promises to take "Symbian user interface to a new level" in 2010, Maemo 6 in 2H
By Thomas Ricker 
posted December 2nd 2009 7:05AM
posted December 2nd 2009 7:05AM
The revamped Symbian UI is set to deliver on two "major product milestones" in the first and second halves of the year. Nokia will also deliver its first Maemo 6 "mobile computer" in the second half of 2010 flanked by a significantly increased proportion of "touch and/or QWERTY devices" in its smartphone portfolio. It's worth noting that all the discussion is around Symbian, just a single mention of Maemo and its "iconic user experience" in the forward looking press release. Developers will be happy to hear that Nokia will also continue to scale services geographically while continuing to enhance its developer tools like QT4.6 announced yesterday. Financially speaking, Nokia expects to see the erosion of its average selling price slowed compared to recent years. That's good as Nokia attempts to grow its margins. However, while Nokia expects mobile device volumes to be up approximately 10% in 2010 across the industry, it sees its own mobile device volume market share as flat in 2010, compared to 2009.
Be clear on this though: our incredibly frustrating S60 5th user experience was by far the biggest complaint we had when reviewing Nokia's flagship N97 -- having the most bullet points on a list of features is not what it takes to lure consumers anymore (if ever). If Nokia can better the best in class experiences carved out by Apple, Palm, and HTC with its Sense UI then consumer mindshare, and our hearts, will follow.
[Original image via Vladstudio]
Those clouds remind me of Super Mario/Wario... odd...
@(Unverified)
Thats odd, they reminded me of the bushes in Super Mario.
@(Unverified)
Symbian will copy iPho---er I mean Kid Icarus...
Doo doo doo doo duh-doo....
Doo doo doo doo duh-doo....
Doo doo doo doo duh-doo...
Doo doo... .....doo doo......
this is one of the desktop wallpapers created by Russian artist =) i recognized his style, in fact I have the exact one =)
http://www.vladstudio.com/home/
wow, I am glad that his work made it to the front page of engadget )
@geeksputnik "Be clear on this though: our incredibly frustrating S60 5th user experience was by far the biggest complaint we had" I think the pain was also visible with n900 series. Hopefully these Maemo promises will sought next year.
Maemo and N900: http://bit.ly/nokia-900-full-specs-details-best-or-worst
Better user experience is always welcome...
I am very happy with my n900 though and I bet that the next Maemo device will be even better...
@Mr w00t I'm loving my N900. For the most part, this is the device I've been waiting for.
@Mr w00t
Does the N900 (and Maemo 5) have skype with video calling yet? That's probably one of the few things I'm waiting on before pulling the trigger and going back to T-Mobile (whom I left due to horrible coverage inside my house). Skype might obviate that.
@Maddy The skype that is integrated to the OS does not have, yet, video calling. Works flawless though. Its incredible the experience with it.
I heard some rumors (cant say for sure though) that I might be supported from the Skype app itself. But I am not sure. Lets hope so...
@Mr w00t
Do you reckon the N900 will be upgradeable to Maemo 6?
@michaelwub I dont have a concrete answer for you.
What I have read so far is that some people say that the n900 might be upgradeable to M6 and other people saying that it wont because of all the new hardware niceties that would be included, such as multitouch.
But apps can be written for M6 and still run on the n900 if they make the compatibility test or something like this. Qt 4.6 is just out from the door and will make the development for Nokia devices much easier. :)
@Mr w00t
Yes to all that you've said provided the next model comes out with a capacitive touch screen. I think the rumored N902 is the model they will introduce in Q3 of 2010.
Exciting! I want more Maemo. And I'm not sure how Symbian could ever be made into something more interesting or brought to "new levels". This could be interesting.
@rjzak Yup. Sounds great but time will tell. Nokia better deliver because lately, they didn't quite meet expectations. I clearly remember the fancy computer-generated animation giving a glimpse of the N97 UI but what we saw wasn't exactly what we got.
They can increase the level of vibration now? Damn... lonely chicks are gonna get destroyed now, if they weren't before...
Oh... you said "Symbian"... gotcha... sorry. people.
Clearly Nokia are fans of Rainbow Islands!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Islands:_The_Story_of_Bubble_Bobble_2
@GlynC
Clearly Nokia had nothing to do with that wallpaper... engadget shopped it...
www.vladstudio.com
They make great hardware but now with the rise in importance of O.S. they seem to be struggling in the software department. The n97 was just boring to use but the form factor was great.
@Hydraulics .. the E71/E72 were also a case of superb hardware desperately in need of a new OS.
@Hydraulics
They're in similar position as Microsoft. Both are large companies who are slow to respond to sudden changes, and attached to legacy software and users while they transition to newer OSes. Both are highly functional, they just lack a lot of the polish and unification that newer OSes like WebOS have. The latter part of 2010 is going to be big for both and i as user of both Windows Mobile 6.5 and Series 60, i can't wait to see what they roll out with.
@Hydraulics Agree on the hardware, and the use of S60 on the N97 was a complete and abject failure. The Espoo crowd really need to make good on that device, and offer an option to move to Maemo for the device - which would go a massive way to quieting the long cold winter of discontent owners of this handset are suffering.
@thewinchester
I actually found the N97's widgets to be incredibly useful, just bogged down by buggy software and lack of RAM, which is why I returned it.
But, the ability to have instant access on the homescreen to new e-mail, news headlines, weather, RSS feeds, and Facebook updates - All constantly updating, live as it happened - was perfect for my needs. So, now I'm eyeing the N97 mini which comes pre-loaded with the new firmware, metal battery casing, increased C: memory, better keyboard, and better camera (no more scratched lens).
Sounds like they're not sure which direction they want to go, and are hedging their bets by spending double to work on Maemo and Symbian.
@gerrrg
I think it pretty simple: Maemo is for mobile computers and Symbian is for smartphones.
@(Unverified) explain the difference?
@Thomas Ricker If you would drop the iphone for a second and actually try what the n900 is capable of doing you would not ask this kind of question...
With a computer you can actually compile programs, like n900 has python built.. iPhone = iDont. Other stuff as well. Really, you should try the n900 is great.
Why am I explaining this to you? You are the one that have the gadget blog not us... Gosh, the way Engadget goes I will start waiting for my local sunday newspaper for gadget news. :D
@Mr w00t .. I can compile code on my iPhone as well as run Terminal, VNC, execute a range of applications. So again what is the difference between a smartphone and a mobile computer ? .. It's NOTHING.
@(Unverified) Really? Wow congratulations my friend. Welcome to the 21st century...
But you cant do everything at the same time?
Oh.. sorry I forgot about that "M-word" tsk, bummer. You can haz multiple applications. But when I tried to use spotify and check facebook with its own app I could not in my iPod touch.
(m stands for multitasking not maemo okay?)
@(Unverified) heck, even the "syphilis os", as engadget bloggers very politely define it, can have spotify-browser-email open at the same time. And multitask...
@Mr w00t "Really, you should try the n900 is great." I've been using it as my primary device for 3 weeks now. But go on trolling anyway, you seem to enjoy it.
@Thomas Ricker Its funny, you guys can say whatever you want about Nokia, make fun as much as you want...
But then when a reader comes with valid points you guys start crying fould and call me a troll? Look at your comment about Symbian and lets check whos a troll mate.
@(Unverified)
Actually, one of the major differences between a 'Smartphone' and 'mobile computer' is the user customisability.
Maemo is pretty much just Linux, and anybody with a working knowledge of the code can pretty much do what they what they want to it straight out of the box - just like a computer.
an OS like on the iPhone, or WebOS, or even Android, are all reliant on the manufacturers to update and change the user experience (out of the box, that is - obviously if you jailbreak your iPhone or root your G1 you can do the same thing, but all but the hardcore users are going to steer clear of voiding their warranty)
Nominally, in terms of consumer usability, Smartphones and Mobile Computers serve the same purpose, but to coders and tech geeks (to whom the difference actually matters), the difference is like night and day.
@Thomas Ricker
To be fair, S60 5th is pretty much Nokia's first foray into consumer touch devices (Maemo notwhistanding).
When your OS has been optimised for buttons, and it well established (seriously, I've been using S60 devices since the 7650 - that was well over 6 years ago now), you can't expect them to go from "Fantastic non-touch optimised OS" to "Fantastic touch-optimised OS" in the space of 6-12 months.
Think about it, when the iPhone was announced, in 2007, Nokia's flagship device (the N95 - a phone which I have extremely fond memories of, as does the thief that now owns it presumably) was all about the hardcore hardware - you said yourself, I believe, that it was one of the best phones of all times, in terms of features. Or that might have been Josh, either way, you get what I'm saying.
Nokia up to last year have always been about great hardware, and a powerful-yet-competent OS to back it up, and let's face it, when you're number one by a pretty good margin, don't you think it would be a good idea to let others (Apple, HTC, etc.) test the waters before comitting yourself to it?
@CJ Brilliant post. I wish you would work at engadget...
But what they read was "blah blah blah I hate iPhone and I love Nokia blah blah blah".
In other words, "you are a freedom hater, a troll..."
@Mr w00t I think you should also explain what multitasking really is. All phones can multitask, but to a certain degree. An iPhone is a beyond awesome experience, after you jailbreak it of course...
@N900 "But when I tried to use spotify and check facebook with its own app I could not in my iPod touch."
@Mr w00t Ok I see. But I'm simply trying to add some leverage to this argument. I know jailbreaking is a pain in this ass, but when you do you'll be glad to own an iPhone. Far and away while I know that these features post-breaking should really be OUT OF THE BOX, just trying to add leverage. Don't shoot the mediator.
That said I may as well also touch on the subject that Nokia and the US, which is a complicated issue at best. A lot of our friendly neighborhood tech reporters call Nokia "a dying breed" and "Someone who needs to catch up in mindshare", but frankly, mindshare is irrelevant outside of the US (and UK), although to say it's useless, is an understatement.
Nokia doesn't even contract phones to carriers as much as they used to in the US after seeing how they dumbed down the user experience. Who locks down the ability to use 3rd-party applications??? Ridiculous. But that's the sad price you pay for having a contracted phone. However, most people are happy with this. Hell: most people in the US don't even know the difference between contracted and unlocked. But then again it's the same people that allegedly "don't know what 3G is", and even give you odd looks when you tell them what WLAN is.
You cruise on over to more competent areas (or better yet other countries) and people can easily tell you what true multitasking is, what WLAN is, what 3G is, the difference between contracted and unlocked, and tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your phone, and this majority AREN'T tech nerds. In stark contrast of the people here giving you typical toolbox replies like "Google it, asshole".
Sadly though, American and English culture and trends play a HUGE part in shaping other cultures trends. So if Nokia comes out with a phone that kicks ass in Alexandria or India and China, and then come over to the US where people go, "this thing is FAT. Resistive touchscreen Fail! Give me iPhone", this really does mean that Nokia has to regain control or at least stability in the US market.
That's why when the N900 shoots on over to the land of "freedom", Big N made sure that the only thing Big T had control over was linking their website to the homepage of the browser, and some logos.
People do agree that Symbian is old, odd looking, and in need of being "taken to a new level", that in no way means it isn't/wasn't competent or capable of doing a lot of things. Otherwise everyone should have ditched it a long time ago.
I think by far the biggest news is that first Maemo 6 device is coming already in second half of 2010.
Because looking at the sneak peaks of it looks to be amazing with the capacitive screen and multitouch. And it will be first OS from Nokia to take fully the Qt future of Nokia that Symbian will fully get in Symbian^4.
I was sure to see Maemo 6 at earliest in end of 2010, but this is great news.
@Pdexter I'm intrigued by this mysterious new Maemo 6 device too - I was planning on getting an N900 but I'm gonna hold off if a capacitive device is coming so soon. I wonder what it'll be called - N910?
@Pdexter also very excited...
and I didnt even stop paying for the n900 and I want something else... maaan, nokia will bankrupt me :D
@r3loaded
The N910 already exists, I believe.
@r3loaded
Its quite well known already... Its supposed to be the N920 , Capacitive TS without QWERTY... Running Maemo 6 ofcourse
@Pdexter Symbian might actually beat Maemo in the multitouch race...Symbian^3 (which I assume to be their mid-2010 milestone) is multitouch-capable, amongst other things
http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/10808_Nokias_masterplan_for_2010.php
Good! Symbian is fine OS but S60/Avkon UI is rather out of date. They should have scrapped that with touch screen phones.
Sure hope that they succeed. But if the stars keep their form this will go horribly wrong.
took you long enough to "improve user interface." God.. you are the beginning of the evil interface that is too smart for others to use. Thank competition for giving nokia a kick in the groin.
@allenade
I think you meant "kick in the ass" or "rear".
Groin kicks have been proven, conclusively, to not encourage forward movement.
@allenade
I think you meant "kick in the ass" or "rear".
Groin kicks have proven, conclusively, to not encourage forward movement.
One thing they are talking about Nokias music service that in downloads is now bigger than any other in China and India since month ago.
That is really strong thing for Nokia in the future.
Next generation is always good unless it is windows...