The Nokia N900 marked a significant departure from the traditional Nseries lineup, shifting the focus from Nokia’s typical mobile phone approach to a more tablet-like, internet-driven experience.
While it shares a similar form factor with other Nseries devices, the N900’s design and operating system set it apart, offering something entirely new.
Instead of just being a phone, the N900 cleverly blended the best aspects of both a tablet and a smartphone, making it a versatile device aimed at providing seamless web connectivity and an enhanced multimedia experience.
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What sets the Nokia N900 apart is its Maemo operating system, a rare alternative to the more widely used Symbian.
This open-source OS offered a unique browsing experience with Mozilla’s browser, and combined with top-tier connectivity features, it ensured that the device would appeal to users craving something more than just a typical mobile phone.
The large, high-resolution display and impressive QWERTY keyboard catered to both work and play, offering users the perfect balance between productivity and entertainment.
The N900 was not just another mobile device; it was a revolutionary attempt by Nokia to bridge the gap between mobile phones and tablets.
It was a true hybrid, designed to cater to the ever-growing demand for seamless internet browsing and web connectivity.
But, like every device, it had its pros and cons. In this article, we’ll dive into the N900’s key features, its potential shortcomings, and whether it lived up to its promises.
Key Features of the Nokia N900 :-
A Brilliant Display for Enhanced Visual Experience
One of the standout features of the Nokia N900 was its impressive 3.5-inch WVGA display. With a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, the resistive touchscreen provided clear, sharp images.
While resistive touchscreens weren’t as popular as capacitive ones at the time, they still offered a good level of responsiveness, especially with a stylus.
This display ensured that watching videos, browsing the web, or viewing photos was an enjoyable experience. With support for 65K colors, it gave users vibrant visuals, despite being outshone by more modern AMOLED screens.
Maemo 5 OS: A Breath of Fresh Air in Mobile Software
At the heart of the Nokia N900 was the Maemo 5 operating system. Unlike the more commonly used Symbian, Maemo was an open-source Linux-based OS that brought a fresh and dynamic approach to the mobile experience.
It was designed with multitasking in mind, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously without significant performance issues.
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While Maemo 5 was relatively new to the mobile market, its integration with the device was seamless, and its advanced features made it stand out in terms of user interface and functionality.
Mozilla-Based Browser with Full Flash Support
In a time when many mobile browsers struggled with Flash support, the N900 offered a refreshing change. Its Mozilla-based browser came with full Adobe Flash 9.4 support, making it capable of running multimedia content on websites without a hitch.
This feature was a game-changer for web browsing on mobile devices, offering a desktop-like browsing experience that was ahead of its time.
Full QWERTY Keyboard for Effortless Typing
While smartphones with touchscreens were growing in popularity, the Nokia N900 stood out with its slide-out, three-row QWERTY keyboard.
Typing on the N900 was quick and comfortable, making it an excellent choice for users who needed to type long emails or messages.
Even though the keyboard was compact, it offered a tactile experience that was far superior to on-screen keyboards at the time.
Powerful Performance with an ARM Cortex A8 Processor
The N900 was powered by an ARM Cortex A8 600MHz CPU, paired with a PowerVR SGX graphics accelerator.
This combination provided smooth performance for the device, enabling users to multitask and enjoy video playback without lag.
The device also featured 256MB of RAM, which, although modest by today’s standards, was sufficient for its time. For most tasks, the N900 delivered an impressive performance, making it a competitive player in the mobile market during its release.
Excellent Connectivity and Support for Modern Features
In terms of connectivity, the Nokia N900 did not disappoint. It supported quad-band GSM and tri-band 3G, ensuring users could stay connected globally.
Additionally, the device offered Wi-Fi support and A-GPS, making it a great tool for both navigation and internet browsing.
With its 10 Mbps HSDPA and 2 Mbps HSUPA capabilities, the N900 ensured fast internet speeds for a seamless web experience.
The inclusion of a microSD card slot and 32GB of onboard storage provided ample space for multimedia content, while DivX and XviD video playback made it a versatile multimedia device.
Multimedia Features: A Strong Audio and Video Experience
The N900 also boasted strong multimedia features, making it a well-rounded device for entertainment. It featured a 5 MP autofocus camera with dual-LED flash, which captured decent-quality photos.
While the camera interface and features were somewhat outdated, the N900’s video recording capabilities were impressive, offering WVGA resolution at 24 frames per second.
The device also supported FM radio, a foldable kickstand for hands-free video viewing, and stereo Bluetooth, ensuring users could enjoy music and videos on the go.
The Nokia N900’s Drawbacks: Where It Falls Short
Size and Weight: A Bulky Device for Some Users
While the N900’s design was innovative, it came with one major drawback: its size. The device was relatively large and heavy, making it less pocket-friendly than many of its contemporaries.
The slide-out QWERTY keyboard added bulk to the device, and while it provided a great typing experience, it made the phone less portable for everyday use.
Lack of Video Call Capabilities and Limited Voice Features
In terms of communication features, the Nokia N900 had some notable shortcomings. For one, it lacked video call capabilities, which were becoming increasingly popular at the time.
Additionally, there was no support for smart or voice dialing, limiting its ease of use in hands-free situations.
While it supported VoIP services like Skype and Google Talk, its lack of traditional mobile calling features hindered its overall communication capabilities.
Outdated Camera Interface and Limited Third-Party Software
While the N900’s camera was decent for its time, its interface and features felt outdated, especially when compared to other smartphones on the market.
The lack of a pre-installed voice-guided navigation app and a voice recorder were also significant downsides.
Furthermore, the availability of third-party apps was limited, meaning users didn’t have access to the same app ecosystem as other devices running on Android or iOS.
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Limited 3G Support in Some Regions
In terms of global connectivity, the Nokia N900 was not fully compatible with all networks. For example, it didn’t support AT&T’s 3G bands in the United States, limiting its appeal for American consumers.
This was a common issue with early mobile devices, but it still prevented the N900 from reaching its full potential in certain regions.
Conclusion: The Nokia N900’s Legacy
In the end, the Nokia N900 was ahead of its time. Its unique combination of a powerful browser, a full QWERTY keyboard, and innovative Maemo operating system made it a revolutionary device.
While it had its flaws, particularly in terms of size, communication features, and limited app support, the N900 left an indelible mark on the mobile industry.
It served as a precursor to the devices that would follow, showing that the future of mobile technology lay in the convergence of mobile phones and tablets.
For those who lived through the N900 era, it remains a cherished memory. It was a device that dared to push the boundaries of what a phone could be, offering a glimpse into the future of smartphones.
Though it didn’t achieve widespread success, the Nokia N900’s bold approach to mobile technology paved the way for many of the features we take for granted today.