Nokia business product that was born some time is often considered to catch up from its competitors. Tend to be monotonous and the formation of an operating system that spelled out 'same' eventually become mandatory meal mobile users who chose Nokia as their flagship phone.
Not wanting to get stuck in 'routines' like this, Nokia began to expand its wings with the introduction of the latest operating system Maemo 5, the first tablet on my cell phone,
Nokia N900.
Design & InterfaceLots of interesting things on this side. Not because this was the first time pulse reviewing a Maemo-based devices, but more because of the number and placement of a new display interface in accordance with needs.
Before going into it, it helps us to know more closely the structure of this phone. We start with the visible to the naked eye where we can see that the design applied to the N900 is not so innovative. Already a lot of phones with a slide mechanism like this side.
The difference, the Nokia N900 is not much room to slide qwerty keyboard side. When we shift to the side of the screen, qwerty keypad, then the series is only less than half the width of sticking the phone. Narrow meaning, though not really uncomfortable.
This makes us conclude that while the N900 is not intended to replace the old Nokia communicator not been heard from. This phone feels more like a new option for online and multimedia functions. Without downplay the role of the actual hardware is ready to be taken of managing our office activities. Anyway this series is N. Previously successful series combines office and multimedia functions in one package.
With a small portion of the keyboard, and on the other hand is available with resistive touch screen TFT-quality 3.5-inch sizes, the most correct way to enjoy the contents of this phone is via the touchscreen interface. Although including resistive screen and stylus is available, we do not experience difficulties when accessing the menu using only the fingers.
Maemo 5, the operating system performance inside N900 seems to have an attractive UI. Nature looks to be in landscape orientation. So naturally, when the phone is made by Nokia and HP type located on the side facing the keyboard side slide.
Like Android, Maemo 5 is also made with a base Linux system. If the Android we're going to find a three-page home screen, then there are four in Maemo. The four we can personalize as needed. But the default home page can be divided into a blank screen for user personalization, home screen 2 (slide to right) contains online applications, plus GPS, home screen 3 contains Personal Information Management and phone functions, while the home screen 4 is loaded with links Apply online-shopping links.
Then, where a traditional menu that we need? Unlike Android is placed in the drop down menu with icons of the widget as a cell phone menu, then the N900 Maemo 5 is more similar to most mobile phone menu. Can access through a single icon that is placed on the left edge of the screen.
We were then no longer troubled by a back button or return because we could go back to the main menu, or the home screen by simply touching the screen is blank.
Maemo 5 OS with support for hardware that is okay in the N900 is capable of extraordinary multitasking. There is no performance degradation, all took place smoothly, when switching from one application to another application that is open on the screen multitasking. In each open application, is shown drawing a box stacked on top left side. Icons are used to multitasking, which is to minimize the display, for then we can open another application.
Dialog menu that appears, also the sub menus and options in the settings that appear in the charts incredible. In our opinion, even better than the iPhone, which so far we find most attractive.
So, although relatively new, operating system Maemo 5 will not be difficult for N900 users. On the contrary, make the UI look and N900 will feel less rich color and easy to operate. Unfortunately, the UI is only displayed landscape, except to log the phone and sms notifications.
MultimediaN900 includes the latest multimedia features. Some of the categories included in the media player (Maemo Media Player) which appear as icons flash a nice view.
The interface is reminiscent of the menu display Playstation 3 and PSP. Or if I may compare with other mobile phones, reminding us of the Sony Ericsson Satio display is closed. In fact almost all the functions folder with the same features, such as PIM are also displayed in the form like this.
The function of the media player comprises a music player, video player and Internet radio. Yes, there is no Fm radio here. But do not worry, this phone is basically already have hardware that supports these functions. Evidently there is an FM transmitter on the N900. To add an FM radio function, you must download and install third party applications that can be found at maemo.org site.
Almost all music formats can be executed. Similarly, the video format (avi, MPEG4). But as usual, the maximum supported video resolution is only limited screen resolution. For those of us who need support OGG and FLV files can download the codec is already prepared the developer.
Sound output is facilitated by two separate speaker cone on the right side and left side of the phone (in the landscape condition). There was slick with the separation of stereo audio frequencies alias can already feel it. But if you choose to use a headset, N900 also has provided the most popular connector, 3.5 mm.
Switch to the other multimedia features, this phone offers a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics equipped with an autofocus, flash, macro mode and a number of other camera settings. The results were not disappointing. Preview the results of macro photos showing the sharpness of images in each corner so that any dust will be visible here. While outdoor photographs even appear conscientious while displayed in full resolution on a computer screen.
ConnectivityThere are WiFi, Bluetooth, microUSB connector, GPS, FM transmitter and 10 mbps HSDPA data paths. All can be accessed and managed with simple measures, such as touching the connection icon in the display home screen.
New things we shall find lies in the setting that is almost all done automatically, and slick besutan Maemo browser. This browser capable of displaying flash file in a web site and with the full fee that is quickly rendering process.
Application and InstallationMaemo OS is probably not new, but specifically for mobile users no one can deny. Support additional software that was created not as much as a third party's Symbian, Windows Mobile even though Android. But with Nokia, Maemo application was apparently facilitated by better, so we'll have no trouble looking for an application, download and install directly on the phone.
By default there are interesting games on the N900, office applications DataViz Documents To Go (version of the viewer), Facebook, Twitter and a variety of additional online applications. Including Ovi Maps with routing facilities for free and ready for use. Unfortunately there is no voice navigation.
HardwareN900 has brought high-speed processor. This is the explanation why multitasking on the phone is running very smoothly. TI OMAP 3430 processor: ARM Cortex-A8 600 MHz, and 3D accelerator with PowerVR SGX OpenGL ES 2.0 support into the heart of N900. Temporary memory space deliberately separated between files with applications in the areas of 32 GB of internal memory is sufficient to facilitate performance. It had been so, we can add a MicroSD card up to the amount of 16 GB.
Meanwhile, to support all this hard work, li-ion batteries in 1320 (BL-5J) became the mainstay. Unfortunately when we try just to survive less than two days with some taking pictures and text navigation, and a bit of music functions.
ConclusionNokia N900 is a product of a truly new and fresh. Selection of proper OS to be one key to being able to deliver ease of operation even for those already familiar with a particular handset model. Interface that supports ktif served functions contained therein.
Unfortunately, because they are new, additional software support was still quite minimal. Although supported by the OVI service store that integrates with Maemo. For a novice user, the possibility of upgrading the software with additional software will be increasingly narrower.
** (+) UI Maemo 5, 5 mp camera, WiFi, HSDPA, high-resolution screen, multitasking, 32 GB internal memory.
** (-) Cramped keyboard, weight, screen resistive.
