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Nokia N9 countdown timer removed, confusing calendars everywhere (update: here's why)
Psych. It was too good to be true -- Nokia's Swedish site had begun an official countdown for the Meego-laden N9, instilling hope within our souls that the gorgeous device would show up on at least a few shelves by September 23rd. Now, the timer is nowhere to be found, leaving disappointment, depression, and confusion behind in its tracks. Was it briefly taken down due to maintenance issues? Has the N9 been delayed -- or worse, cancelled? Perhaps it's the victim of some rare good luck and is getting bumped up to a sooner date? Until more answers come our way, the only thing we can do is sit and wait... and hope. And continue frantically clicking the "refresh" button. [Thanks, Mark] Update: We were just sent a link to Swedish website Tech Again, which notes they talked to Nokia Sweden's press officer about the situation. Apparently, the timer was removed because it insinuates a guarantee that operators and retailers will have the phone exactly at the moment the timer gets down to zero. The N9 is still expected to reach customers on the 23rd, but the specific time of launch may vary depending on the retailer. [Thanks, Joel]
Nokia N9 countdown page goes live, 49 days to launch?
Google's powers of awkward PR translation may have been right on the MeeGo-money, judging by this countdown page for the N9. The Swedish site, which just went live today, has begun its 49 days and counting creep to the Gorilla Glass-clad handset's eventual overseas debut. We'd previously heard whispers of an impending September 15th release pegged for the OEM's backyard, but we'll err on the side of Nokia's official launch clock. Head to the source to watch this tantalizing tease of time ticking by. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
ASUS' MeeGo-flavored Eee PC X101H goes under the FCC's knife
Back when we introduced you to the MeeGo-packing ASUS Eee PC X101, we noted that its brother, the X101H, would also be available, albeit with Windows 7 onboard. Well, the X101H has just made its way through the FCC and it looks like ASUS has decided to ditch the brother-from-another-mother scheme, and offer the X101's chubbier -- it's 22mm thick compared to 17.6mm -- sibling with MeeGo, as well. Like it's svelte little bro, the X101H is expected to pack a single-core Intel Atom N435 processor, 1GB DDR3 RAM, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, and a 10.1-inch WSVGA screen. If you like your netbooks with a little extra cushion, check out our gallery of teardown photos below, or hit the source link for a slew of FCC paperwork.%Gallery-129882%
Orange Switzerland is expecting Nokia's N9 on September 15th
Release date info for Nokia's sweet slab of Meego has been scarce, but now Orange Switzerland's webpage announces the N9 is coming its way September 15th. Last month Swedish carrier 3 Group promised it would arrive there September 23rd, while some retailer in Kazakhstan is apparently listing them for sale August 19th. We're not quite ready to whip out our passport and translator for a taste of the (not) zombie OS's brains yet, but we'll keep an eye out for any more release date information as it comes. [Thanks, StinkyFinger]
ASUS Eee PC X101 product page goes live, still no release date
ASUS has gone and made its super svelte Eee PC X101 official with a dedicated product page live on its site. We'd already gotten our hands-on with the crimson-colored ultraportable, but now there's a whole list of specs to flesh out this 920g wonder. The MeeGo-running netbook's rocking a 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 display, 1.33 GHz Intel Atom N435 (or N455) processor, 8GB SSD, Bluetooth, WiFi, SDHC card support and USB 2.0. Oh, and did we mention this 17.6 millimeter thin beauty comes in three shades of awesome? That's right, when this $199 netbook finally hits retailers' shelves, you can also snag it in white and brown (a Zune homage, we presume). There's still no word on just when this slight badboy's going to be available, but at least you now have a place to go and drool in anticipation.
Mobile Miscellany: week of July 18, 2011
Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of July 18, 2011: Images of the Samsung Admire for MetroPCS leaked. Also known as the SCH-R720, it may be the first device with Gingerbread on the prepaid carrier. It features a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 3G, 800MHz CPU, and 3.2 megapixel camera. [via UnwiredView] Rogers introduced the HTC EVO 3D and LG Optimus 3D to its lineup, to be available sometime this summer. (thx Luke) Speaking of Rogers, the Samsung Galaxy S Infuse 4G should be available on the Canadian carrier within the next few days, and will reportedly be yours for $150 with a three-year commitment. [via UnwiredView] Spy shots of an unannounced Samsung Android device with Verizon branding, and full QWERTY keyboard were dug up (see the above image). Specs include Android 2.3.4 onboard and built-in 4G LTE connectivity. (thx Fayez) [via AndroidCentral] The Nokia N900 was hacked, allowing you to boot up your choice of four operating systems: Maemo, Meego, NITDroid, and Kubuntu Mobile. [via LoveMyNokia] The LG Optimus 3D appears to be popping up everywhere; it's currently available on Three UK. [via AndroidCentral] A mystery device known as the HTC Hero 4G passed DLNA certification this week, causing speculation that this is the long-evasive and much-awaited HTC Kingdom. The phone's already passed through the FCC, which means we could see it show up on Sprint at any time. [via PhoneArena and PocketNow] The Motorola Defy+ is rumored to be a mild refresh of the Defy, a popular Android device that came out last year. The new version would get a few minor boosts in specs and come in HSPA bands compatible with AT&T. [via TIMN]
Nokia N9 arrives at FCC, opened up to see where all the MeeGo comes from
That most heavenly hunk of MeeGo, the Nokia N9, has passed through our government's most holy of hallways, delivering full external and internal photos to show us what's happening at every level. If you had any doubt this will be a world phone, tests confirming quadband 2G and pentaband 3G (2100/1900/1700/900/850 MHz) should put those to rest, while 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi spread over 2.4 and 5GHz means it'll be quick to download the goods around the house. Models with 16 and 64GB are shown, though squint all we could we couldn't count the difference on the teardown pics, which you can enjoy for yourself in the gallery below. Look closely on the internal photos and you'll note the petite SIM tray and a 1,450mAh battery that relies on a wired connector. It is, quite clearly, not meant for easy user accessibility. Appetite still not sated? The full user manual is also there, ready for your download. And just think, a few minutes ago you didn't have any good reading material for this weekend. %Gallery-128913%
Samsung's ultralight N100 delivers Atom-powered MeeGo to the Indian masses
MeeGo machines are a little hard to come by here in the states, but our friends in the Indian subcontinent are getting some cartoony Linux love from the fine folks at Samsung. The company's new N100 netbook (similar to the N150 above) comes packing a 1.33GHz, dual-core Atom N435 and 1GB of DDR3 RAM for pushing the formerly Nokia-bound OS to a matte 10.1-inch screen. Inside that svelte 2.27-pound package is also a 250GB hard drive and a meager 3-cell battery. If you happen to strolling the streets of Hyderabad you'll be able to pick up one of these lithe lappies for 12,290 rupees, or about $276. [Thanks, Lau]
Foursquare promised for N9, updated S40 variant looks to tide you over (video)
Been too long since your last MeeGo fix? Foursquare's stepping in to hold you over with a video of the popular location-based service on Nokia's upcoming N9. While waiting to get your grubby paws all over Elop's miscarriage, indulge yourself in an updated S40 app -- shown running here on a couple Touch-and-Type devices -- which now features tighter Ovi Maps integration and the heretofore omitted "Explore" function. The inclusions, the company reckons, will help those in emerging markets like South America and Asia grow its ten million over-sharing user base. Glimpses of both can be seen beyond the break along with Foursquare's CEO Naveen Selvadurai musing on all things Finnish.
Nokia commits to N9 support, gives MeeGo a reprieve for 'years' to come
Stephen Elop is certainly over MeeGo, but considering Nokia's promised commitment to Symbian, you didn't really think the company would simply abandon the infant OS and star of its flagship N9 handset, did you? No, it seems that Nokia will be supporting MeeGo for years to come, with several software updates and ample positive vibes coming from Espoo. The goodwill arrives courtesy of Nokia's Head of Portfolio Management, Klas Ström, and is an important step toward assuaging the "dead end" perception that Mr. Elop may have instilled. Whether the developer curiosity otherwise known as the Nokia N950 will receive a similar outpouring of love has yet to be established, but if not... perhaps the MeeGo community can pick up the slack. Hey, it never hurts to dream, folks.
Nokia's N950 demos MeeGo Harmattan in marathon video
Still obsessing about Nokia's N950 -- you know, the sexy developer-only MeeGo device you can't have? Before you let Elop rain on your parade, indulge yourself with an exhaustive 17 minute video from Thailand, dutifully documenting every nook and cranny of Espoo's ill-fated OS. The long-winded film tours the dialer, browser, and gives a peek at a plethora of camera settings -- like ISO, aspect ratio, and timers -- that we didn't get to see on the N9. Also making an appearance are maps with turn-by-turn navigation, what appears to be a document viewer, and a Facebook app. Go on, have a gander, and dream about a luscious MeeGo future that might have been.
Nokia N9 camera: sample images and video
Our first encounter with Nokia's N9 may have been eleven different kinds of awesome, but we knew it was a mere scratch of the high-grade polycarbonate surface. One of the core pieces of functionality we didn't get the chance to address back then was the camera, and after Nokia decided to toot that horn recently -- saying, among other things, that it's the "fastest image-capturing phone" yet -- we decided we had to go back for a second go-around. In terms of performance, Nokia's camera application definitely lives up to the company's own hype, with nearly instant captures and an equally brisk return to a state of readiness for more image-taking. When shooting video, we noted that audio recording starts slightly later than the video, leaving the first half second or so without sound. This isn't an uncommon issue (we've seen it on other phones and tablets) and can be seen in our video sample after the break. Now might be a good time to also mention that the N9s we tested with today were all prototype units, so don't prejudge Nokia's final hardware on the basis of what you see here. Unless your premature judgment is positive, we doubt Nokia would mind that. %Gallery-127313% So anyhow, we took a walk around the company's offices, escorted by a group of unarmed but surely lethal Finnish ninjas, taking shots of the surrounding cityscape as we went. The results show the N9 picking up a ton of detail and controlling noise admirably, while a few impromptu ThinkPad hands-on photos convinced us it can do a pretty stellar job with closeups as well. With a name like N9, however, it was obvious which phone we needed to compare Nokia's lone wolf MeeGo handset to, so out came our trusty N8 with its world-beating 12 megapixel sensor. Alas, in spite of having an F2.2 aperture on the N9, Nokia hasn't managed to replicate the heroics of its earlier device: the N8 shows its advantage in consistently picking out better color balance and in also being sharper throughout the frame. It makes the N9's images appear as if they were shot through a haze, though we hasten to add that this should be considered a strength of the older phone rather than a major failure of the new one. Additionally, the N9 suffers from the typically narrow dynamic range of smartphone camera sensors, which is the cause of the consistently blown-out sky in our gallery images. Still, considering the quick software operation and consistently detailed imagery on offer from the N9, we'd say Nokia is on to a winner here. %Gallery-127317% P.S. -- Looking for the full-size 8 megapixel stills from the N9? We've zipped them up for you right here.
Slim ASUS Eee PC X101 to hit shelves next month
That super thin Eee PC X101 that we manhandled back at Computex is just about ready to make its retail debut. Starting in July you'll be able to pick up one of these MeeGo-running crimson clamshells for $199 or, if you're a fan of desktop apps, Windows 7 versions (X101H) starting at $310. Inside the base model you'll find a 1.33GHz, single-core Atom N435, a six-cell battery, and a small SSD (probably of the 16GB variety). Unfortunately, the two most important details -- can it cut a cake and will it blend -- remain unanswered.
Nokia N9: are you buying one?
Why hello Nokia, we can see you've lost a few buttons and gussied yourself up with a new version of MeeGo. Very nice. That new outfit is a one-off affair, you say? Not to be repeated? We're a little sorry to hear that, although we have to admit -- those metro threads don't look half bad on you either. We wonder what your adoring public will think? Shall we ask? Yes, let's. %Poll-65754%
Nokia's N950 splayed by FCC, 12 megapixel camera lurking within
Our friends over at the FCC have somehow both scored and already torn asunder Nokia's new flagship MeeGo development phone. Slicing and dicing Espoo's latest confirms the watered-down N9 specs we'd previously heard about, except for one: a 12 megapixel camera. An intriguing addition, as the N950's official specs list an 8 megapixel shooter, which the Finnish firm touted as "different" than the unit in its brother. Perhaps different means the additional 4 megapixels we spotted earlier this year? Sure, last minute component changes aren't unheard of, but if you ever manage to convince the Finns to throw one your way, do us a favor and let us know what it's packing. Ok?
Nokia's Stephen Elop is still over MeeGo, even if the N9 is a hit
An awful lot has been happening in Nokialand over the past week. A few days ago, we spent our first real quality moments with the much discussed N9, and we were pretty blown away by the MeeGo smartphone. Fast forward a mere two days, and we catch wind of a pretty suspicious looking leak of "Sea Ray," the company's first Windows Phone handset where else but sitting firmly in the hand of CEO Stephen Elop. Just in case that brand of corporate subtlety didn't quite drive the point home, the executive gave an interview with Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat this week, confirming the nearly universal suspicion that it will abandon the Linux-based OS. Elop told the paper that, even if the N9 proves a massive hit, Nokia is going to turn its attention to other, more Windows Mobiley things. [Thanks, Vezance]
Nokia N950 pictures: a gallery's worth of MeeGo to tell the story
At long (long!) last, the N950 is upon us. While "announced" via a nondescript text document earlier this week, we still had no clear indication of what Nokia's second MeeGo device would truly look like just a day ago. Despite years of leaks and an inestimable amount of visions tip-toeing around in our brains, we never could nail down a solid image of the thing. Until today. In addition to the video grabs seen earlier, we stumbled upon a backdoor repository leading to a somewhat curious looking Nokia device; and sure enough, 20-some-odd N950 photos from Nokia itself flowed forth. It's mighty troubling to still not have a cemented price or release date, but hey -- at least you know it's worth saving for. Enjoy. [Thanks, Jerry] %Gallery-126924%
Nokia N9 to ship in Sweden on September 23rd, saith awkwardly translated release
As much as we love Google Translate, we're pretty sure the Nokia N9 won't be packing a side of gorilla flavored desert when it ships later this year -- but that Swedish release date? Sure, we'll take a salty look. According to an official press release from European carrier 3 Group, Nokia's flagship handset should be landing in Sweden on September 23, 2011. The PR goes on to tout the N9's buttonless interface, trio of home screens, and (when properly translated) Gorilla Glass AMOLED screen. Hit the source link to see the PR, in all it's auto-translated glory, for yourself.
Editorial: Dear Nokia, you cannot be serious!
At first blush, the Nokia N9 is everything I'd ever wanted from the company: a smartphone with a competitive spec sheet, exquisite industrial design, and a touch-centric UI that looks to push things forward with the introduction of its own idiosyncratic ideas. Slick in terms of both responsiveness and appearance, the Harmattan interface is Nokia's thunderous riposte to all those (myself included) that challenged the company to get with the touchscreen OS program and cast off the shackles of its Symbian legacy. The only traces of Symbian in the MeeGo 1.2-equipped N9 can be found in the iconography, which maintains the rounded look of its forebear, and support for Qt -- in all other respects, this is a whole new software proposition (distinct even from its Maemo 5 roots), which has so far elicited a range of emotions in me, including delight, desire, and... despair. You must be wondering why, aside from alliterative convenience, I'd be feeling downcast having enjoyed my brief time with the N9 so much. To learn the answer, read on.
Nokia claims N9 is 'the fastest image-capturing phone' yet
We've already established that the N9 is a delight of a phone, both inside and out, but our hands-on time with Nokia's new flagship gave us only a brief look at its camera performance. Now the company is graciously filling that gap in our knowledge with some further disclosure about its new 8 megapixel imager, including the lofty claim that the N9 is the fastest phone yet when it comes to capturing an image -- ousting the likes of the iPhone 4, the Galaxy S II, and even the Canon S95, perhaps the best pocket camera around at the moment. Measuring the time taken from activating the camera app to the completion of the first shot, the N9 clocks in at 2.6 seconds, whereas Apple's latest does it in 3 seconds and Samsung's takes a split second more. Aside from its speed, the N9 has Carl Zeiss optics, a wide F2.2 max aperture, dual-LED flash, continuous autofocus, and a 720/30p video mode to boast about, but the benefits of those items will need to be experienced first hand. So Nokia, when are you shipping this thing?
