Nokia N900

Nokia does not have the best track record when it comes to new releases. In the past there has been a lot to desire, even after their newest models are available. Many problems with the features, functionality and over all design have led to a consumer dissatisfaction that has left a bad taste in consumers mouths for years in the making.

The release of the new Nokia N900 is to be an atonement of sorts to all of the die hard Nokia fans and customers out there, but not a cheap one. I for one have never spent over $500 dollars on a phone and refuse to do so, however many say that the almost $600 price tag is not really that bad considering what you get. The "mobile computer" title does suggest added value and added features that may make the Nokia N900 the "Real iPhone Killer" and only time will tell.

Combining a mobile computer, cell phone, high-quality camera and portable media player into a single device, the Nokia N900 unlocked cell phone offers fast 3G connectivity, global roaming capabilities, and a wealth of messaging capabilities to keep you in touch with family, friends and business associates wherever you roam. It runs the new Linux-based Maemo operating system, which brings the benefits of your PC to your mobile world. Enjoy fast application processing and multitasking on the N900's live dashboard--a panoramic home screen that can be fully personalized with favorite shortcuts, widgets and applications--and experience the full web with the Maemo browser and high-speed wireless broadband connectivity. It's all accessed via the N900's 3.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen as well as the device's slide-out full QWERTY keyboard.

The Nokia N900 mobile computer/cell phone features a 3.5-inch touchscreen as well as slide-out full QWERTY keyboard. Take high-quality photos and widescreen videos using the 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics. You'll also be able to tag photos with keywords and browse them using the tag cloud, geotag images with the location data of where they were shot, share online via Ovi Share or Flickr, or store for mobile viewing on the N900's 32 GB internal memory--which can also be expanded via optional microSD memory cards.

The quad-band Nokia N900 GSM/EDGE phone makes it easy to roam globally and stay in touch with voice and text messaging, and this model is also ready to run on 3G networks both in the US and internationally (900/1700/2100 MHz HSPA), enabling fast downloads and streaming multimedia while on the go. It also includes integrated Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g) for accessing open networks at work, home, and on the road from a variety of wireless hotspots. You'll also be able to connect to a wide variety of peripherals--including stereo headphones--with the Bluetooth 2.1+EDR capabilities.

With the integrated A-GPS sensor, the device intuitively understands where it is, giving you the ability to search maps for addresses and points of interest using the Ovi Maps application and route a path to your destination.

When paired with a compatible 3G network, you'll enjoy a high-speed connection offering a variety of feature-rich wireless services--from data connectivity to your office to multimedia streaming, and take advantage of simultaneous voice and data services. In areas not served by a 3G network, you'll continue to receive data service via EDGE network (depending on network compatibility).

Note that the downloading of maps, games, music and videos and uploading of images and videos involves transferring large amounts of data. Your service provider may charge for the data transmission, and the availability of particular services and features may vary by carrier.

Running on the new Maemo 5 software, the Nokia N900 enables you to have dozens of application windows open and running simultaneously while taking full advantage of the cellular features, touch screen and QWERTY keyboard.

Designed for computer-grade performance in a compact size, Maemo complements Nokia's other software platforms, such as Symbian, which powers Nokia's smartphones.

The Nokia N900 packs a powerful ARM Cortex-A8 processor, up to 1GB of application memory and OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics acceleration. The result is PC-like multitasking, allowing many applications to run simultaneously. Switching between applications is simple, as all running content is constantly available through the dashboard. The panoramic home screen can be fully personalized with favorite shortcuts, widgets and applications.

Thanks to the browser powered by Mozilla technology, web sites look the way they would on any computer. Online videos and interactive applications are vivid with full Adobe Flash 9.4 support. Maemo software updates happen automatically over the internet.

With the Carl Zeiss optics on the 5-megapixel camera, you can capture print quality photos and DVD-like quality video clips. Carl Zeiss, a world leader in high quality camera lenses, brings an award-winning legacy to the Nokia N900 with state-of-the-art optics for mobile photography and mobile video. The Zeiss name has been associated with cameras from Hasselblad, Rollei, Yashica, Sony, and Nikon.

Tag photos with keywords to easily find them later on with a keyword cloud display, and see where your images were taken with the automatic geotagging. The camera offers an auto-focus Carl Zeiss lens with two-stage capture key, dual LED flash, and JPEG/EXIF still image file format. Other features include a full-screen viewfinder, dedicated camera key, sliding lens cover for protection and camera activation, and a photo editor. Upload your photos and videos to Ovi Share and share them online with friends and family.

The N900 can also capture videos in a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio at 800 x 480 pixels and 30 frames per second (fps). Additionally, the N900 includes a VGA camera on the front for use of video calling services (dependent upon carrier; additional charges applicable).

After shooting photos and videos, you can connect the N900 to an external monitor or TV (NTSC/PAL) using the included cable, and control playback via UPNP (WLAN supported).

Enjoy fast application processing and multitasking on a live Dashboard.

ARM Cortex-A8 600MHz and total available application memory up to 1GB (256MB RAM + 768 MB virtual memory) Experience the full web with Maemo browser.

Browser powered by Mozilla technology, full flash 9.4 and AJAX support. Personalise your own panorama desktop on the 3.5 Inch 800x480 pixel touch screen. Fast wireless broadband.

WiFi and HSPA data 10/2.0 Mbps. Chat with voice calls, internet calls, instant messages and SMS.

Merge your phone book, Skype contacts and other contacts into an all-in-one address book.

Share your status, location and mood with your friends. Keep multiple IM and SMS conversations going and move easily between them. Email on the go with rich HTML and full QWERTY keyboard,

Pre-installed Nokia Messaging that mobilizes up to 10 personal email accounts.

Take high quality photos and wide screen videos using the 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics.

Tag photos with keyword cloud to best describe the moment and find them easily later on.

See where photos were taken with the automatic geotagging. Share to Ovi Share & Flickr or store in the massive 32 GB internal storage.

Large and gorgeously colorful, the Nokia N900's 3.5-inch touch display offers an 800 x 480-pixel resolution. The resistive touch screen includes haptic feedback so you know when you've pressed a key or onscreen menu, brightness control, an ambient light detector, and an orientation sensor that effortlessly switches from portrait to landscape viewing. The desktop can be personalized with up to four different views. You can also use a stylus for onscreen input.

When you're ready to start typing email or text/instant messages, just flip the N900 on its left side and slide the face up to reveal the full QWERTY keyboard with predictive typing capabilities. The display pivots to an angle that makes it easy to read the screen while you're typing. The N900 also includes a kickstand that enables you to place the device on a desk or airplane's seatback table to watch videos.

-Up to 32 GB internal storage
-Total available application memory up to 1 GB (256 MB RAM, 768 MB virtual memory)
-Supported protocols: Mail for Exchange, IMAP, POP3, SMTP
-SMS and instant messages organized as conversations
-Support for Nokia Messaging service
-Instant messaging and Presence-enhanced contacts
-Multiple number, email and Instant Messaging details per contact, contacts with images
-Integrated hands-free stereo speakers
-Logging of dialed, received and missed calls
-Speed dialing via contact widget
-Ring tones: .wav, .mp3, .AAC, .eAAC, .wma
-Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) with WEP, WPA, WPA2 security; designed for continuous TCP/IP connectivity
-Capability to serve as data modem via USB connection
-Music playback file formats: .mp3, .wma, .aac, .m4a, .wav
-Video playback file formats: .mp4, .avi, .wmv, .3gp; codecs: H.264, MPEG-4, Xvid, WMV, H.263
-Video streaming: H.264, MPEG-4, Xvid, WMV, H.263 in .avi, .mp4, .wmv, .asf and .3gp containers
-TV out (NTSC/PAL) with Nokia Video Connectivity Cable (CA-75U, included)
-FM radio (requires headset to be attached) and FM transmitter