Nokia N900 and the case of the best unboxing ever
By Ross Miller 
posted December 21st 2009 7:30PM
posted December 21st 2009 7:30PM
We'll just come out and say it: this is so awesome. In fact, if you want to just take our word for it, skip the copy and head straight to the video after the break -- you really only need to watch the first four or so minutes... Still here? Alright then. The shiny cube comes straight from Espoo and houses a N900, but the only way to get into the box is to plug it into a computer, establish a link, and then type in the right terminal command to unlock the lid (spoiler: it's company motto "connecting people" -- how clever) in addition to -- poof -- smoke! (Our favorite part.) Given the technical prerequisites, our guess is this has something to do with Nokia's the hack-centric "Push" program, but really that's just a guess. Like we said, video after the break, and if you opt to watch past the first couple minutes, you'll get to see a plastic fox. Trust us.
[Thanks, Matija] 
moto: Droiiiiiid
nokia: Borrrrrrrgg
@windzilla
Droid: Set Lasers to: Race Horse duck taped to a Scud Missile.
Nokia: *Block* I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will service us.
Actual smoke....A dream come true.
@Arkv2 Get it quick before it's banned. You know the smoking package is what the kids really want.
So much for Green packaging... and who uses all that stuff?? Let me chose what I need instead of charging me for it.
@dunowhattohaveasusername
It's not the retail packaging...
Which is BTW mentionned about 50 times during the unboxing.
It's a collector packaging made for the reviewer.
it's free advertising and very innovative way of making a buzz (quite surprising from Nokia, in a good way)
Of course on the other there is no key note and no "isn't that amazing" "boom".
@Flix C They've done it a number of times before.
Google & you'll find some really awesome n95 packaging.
@Munk
When I search "awesome N95 packaging" I get linked to your comment :) Power of engadget.
I'm really trying to care but I just can't seem to muster up any....
Just Spectacular....
MOST
AWESOME
PACKAGING
EVER
@Flix C
Thats
What
She
Said
Bad. Ass.
Well that got my attention. Props to Nokia. That's some pretty clever marketing.
@kenny goo
Word
I'm surprised that @N900 didn't get the first post...
@AndroidRokz Have not seen him in a while. Must be "offline as it happens" :P. (google if you do not get the reference).
It would be great to turn the box itself into a computer, or case mod
I think they should make this available on retail. I'd totally pay premium just for that box.
Much better than paying premium for a feature(less) phone that just has a transparent display.
Cool packaging but pointless since the phone will not arrive like that to the mere mortals.
Smoke!
Actual Smoke!
The next video will feature the Amazon frustration-free variant of this. Sneak peek: it's a paper bag with a light dusting of talcum powder.
@Chief2
Tyrone Biggums: Harold, is Anthrax bad?
@ToniCipriani LMAO!!
Doo doo!
It looks amusing, but I fail to see the point. It seems to serve only to make a positive first impression from reviewers (in addition to bundling other accessories that won't be part of the retail package) and thus making the review itself potentially skewed to the positive side, while in reality, users buying the real retail box may actually be disappointed. Imo reviews should reflect what comes in the retail box as that is what consumers will be getting.
The least Nokia should do is to include the fox figurine in retail package.
@pika2000
That is just a kind of marketing which every company does.
Else why does Apple need to make such huge Apple stores and waste money?
The reason for including all the accessories was so that these bloggers could test out every function of the phone without them going to the market to buy the accessories for testing.
Also i think they included the bluetooth headset so that they also get review for that headset. So 2 targets with one shot.
Just think little bit more before reaching conclusions.
@(Unverified) Hey troll, what's up? Are you brain dead or simply an Apple hater sheep?
1. Who's talking about Apple?
2. What does Apple stores have anything to do with reviewers unit?
3. Nokia gave the whole thing in 1 box, making the impression that everything is "included." This is, like I said, to produce good first impression with the reviewers. However, considering that most of the stuff in there are not part of the retail packaging, the reviewers' review may give false impression for the consumers.
@pika2000
Its engadget site's glitch that it doesn't display my user name.
Btw, i am no apple hater. Using MacBookPro at this moment.
So Apple example was a comparison for marketing strategies used by companies and i used it specifically for ur comment as i have seen in the past that you love Apple.
Again, if you watch the video with the audion "ON", then he says many times that so and so item may not be in the retail packaging.
Again, i will repeat my opinion as above
"The reason for including all the accessories was so that these bloggers could test out every function of the phone without them going to the market to buy the accessories for testing.
Also i think they included the bluetooth headset so that they also get review for that headset. So 2 targets with one shot. "
I am no blogger, but can easily guess the marketing strategy here.
If you don't understand marketing, then there is nothing I can do here.
@(Unverified) Regardless of your motive, I still fail to see what Apple has anything to do with this article, and how Apple store's marketing is relevant to a discussion about reviewer unit. Flame bait much?
The box itself is not something that Nokia will put for retail, so the marketing here is simply to skew the reviewers review to a positive side by giving the a wow-factor first impression. The inclusion of all the accessories in the box also creates the false positive impression for reviewers. Yes, the reviewer said that this/that may/may not be included in the retail packaging. That doesn't change the wow-factor first impression of unboxing the device. Not saying it will affect this particular reviewer's review, but obviously Nokia is hoping for something positive by going over the top like this.
@pika2000 Apart from the cake, fox and bt headset everything comes in the retail packaging.....Always had with Nokia phones.
(The types may vary according to region. i.e ports on the charger, capacity of mem-card, pre loaded apps etc but the basic contents are pretty much fully fledged and same no matter where you buy it from).
Awesome.
Much better than Apple packaging.
@eka Show me which store where I can buy this Nokia with that packaging.
@Lord Vader The emperor already bought 2
true.......that box serves no purpose.....but it still reeks of badassness
Why can't they pack cake with all of my gadgets? It would make the entire unboxing so much sweeter.
i have the n900 and my box does NOT look like that.
@va jj You should contact Nokia then, show them this video and ask why buyers cannot get the product as reviewed. :D
@va jj
Would you tell these people that are arguing over the package what actually came with the phone. Thx.
And after you "hack" into the box, you are greeted with the chunkiest, chubbiest phone with the smallest keyboard in 2009
But this was released... more than a month ago? Why the press unboxing now? One would think this would have happened a while back. Cool nonetheless though.
& people wonder why Engadget "hates on Nokia" :P.
I bet Chris & Thomas got the standard packaging & now they have to watch this?! THEHORROR!!111 :P
-----
Oh & before pika2000 comments; the retail/standard packaging is the same thing in a bio-degradable, eco friendly box that has all the cables, cards and connectors. (No fox,cake or bt headset).
and here we have a fox?!
@(Unverified) I'm guessing that's for firefox. lol. Cool box and unboxing.
I'd be glad to pay for this gadget if they include that type of box and all the accessories featured in it. Otherwise, there are better phones out there.
I am pretty sure they included the plastic fox because Fennec, a pre-release version of Firefox for mobile devices is available for this phone, that is a nice touch!
It would have been more awesome if it was a giant rubik's cube that you have to solve before it would open.
Wait, wait, wait. This comes with a phone, hack-box, AND cake?!
Keep the price around $200-300, and I'm there.
Sad it's not retail, I probably would've bought one just for the box.
That rocks.
EBAY! EBAY! EBAY! EBAY! EBAY!
Plug in USB. Wait, what's this virus?
holy shit