After having owned this device for just over two weeks now I have to say that I could not be happier with it.

The N900 is built for the technically minded however. I would not recommend this for someone who wants a "any person can use" device like the iPhone. Maemo 5, the operating system on the N900, is extremely powerful and very easily modifiable, however, if you're not technically minded with some sort of experience with Linux, then you might find this difficult and possibly even frustrating. That does not mean to say it is impossible, but with a little patience, the willingness to learn and some help from the Maemo community (maemo.org), you'll feel a whole lot self fulfilled with what you can achieve with this device.

Do not confuse this with a phone however. In none of Nokia's press release's or advertising, do they call this device a phone. It is a Internet tablet with phone/sim card functionality. Not vice versa. It is Linux computer first, phone second.
The price is actually quite reasonable, considering that most high end smartphones when released usually cost around the $1000 mark. This has definitely got the hardware of those high end phones, but with Maemo 5, which to me personally is a huge bonus.

The N900's hardware is extremely good (nearly identical CPU and graphics processor to the iPhone 3GS). Having a resistive screen as compared to a capacitive screen is an endless argument that will never be resolved, but I have absolutely no complaints with the N900. It is very finger friendly, precise, slides perfectly and never misses a press on its screen. It all depends if you know how to use a touch screen properly. The battery life could still be improved. I get around 1 day (24 hours) a charge, but I charge it every night so it never bothers me. Some people have reported 3-4 days usage out of it, others only 12-15 hours. It all depends on how you use it.

MicroB, the web browser used on the N900, is extremely fast and has handled everything I have thrown at it with ease. Very easy to use, although the "spiral" zoom feels a bit funny at first, but you get used to it.

The Ovi Maps that came originally really was useless in Australia, however after updating it with Nokia Maps it works flawlessly. The latest firmware update to 2.2009.51-1 really improves the GPS cold starts, actually it makes the whole device snappier.

Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase and would never go back. The Maemo community is continually improving this device, with new software, games being released daily. I do recommend that you have be Linux aware or willing to learn if you get the N900 or risk being frustrated at not knowing how to do things that seemed easy on the iPhone.
(Posted on 16/01/10)

Can't help but love a phone with this sort of power that doesn't try and restrict it's usage. Full access from get-go! Super quick interface response and accuracy. Running on linux means it's going to be really easy to port the majority of desktop applications running directly on the hardware (no dirty java virtual machine getting in the way). Looking forward to seeing what gets released!

It's missing a couple of minor features but they will be added with the upcoming firmware updates...... and I don't miss multi-touch at all really....it's just a gimmick after all.

feel the power! (Posted on 16/01/10)

I really enjoy using this phone and the Maemo 5 OS.
The battery life really stops me from using the phone.
I hope some third party battery manufacturer comes up with a replacement battery with extra power, I don't Nokia is going to do any think about it. (Posted on 10/01/10)

Its got it all and it can only get better because its infinately updateable over the air. or you can learn to do it yourself. how many other phones can you do that with.. (Posted on 6/01/10)

Tons of potential but still lacking real world usability. I get the feeling the N900 was designed for the ultra tech heads to sort out its bugs so the next version will be more user friendly. Maemo 6 is probably a year or less away and whatever the N-ext phone is, I expect it will be far more polished before it's released to the public.

Mind you, although not even remotely a tech head I'm glad I bought the N900 and love the things it can do. The net browsing is really fun plus applications are released every day, and if you like messing about with the latest tech, you'll enjoy this gadget.

However, if you actually use the phone as a phone you could be disappointed. No single handed or portrait texting, no multi-tap key options, would you believe no MMS, the weirdest non-intuitive T9 type dictionary, rubbish calendar, maps are unusable plus more issues on top of these.

So why do I like it so much? Most of the issues mentioned above can/will be addressed by firmware updates and input from the amazing Maemo community. A little patience will be well rewarded but I appreciate some don't have it or need the functionality immediately. If so, explore your options.

I waited over 2 years to replace my N95 because I didn't find anything that did better what it did so well. The N900 will be a landmark piece of tech in the same way it was and in say 6 months or so will have matured into a truly worthy phone.

If you'd like to do some research before committing try this site http://maemo.org/intro or a multitude of others. (Posted on 5/01/10)

There are lots of things to like about the N900, but perhaps the shortfalls outweigh the good points. I have had mine for over a month, and I don't think I would buy one again.

You'll find lots of fan boy reviews on the net, so I won't go into all the great features of the device, and there are lots, with more coming.

As to the downfalls, there are lots, but here are my top ones:
- battery life. Did not last 7 hours last night, while I was sleeping. (WiFi was on)
- screen-app integration. Many apps are not finger friendly. They often confuse scrolls with taps, which is *very* frustrating
- desktop. after all this time I still tap the wrong thing. The three modes just do not work together
- media player. scans the library each time. stops playing when you scroll the timer bar. Poor at playlists
- web browsers (default and fennic). Difficult to enter data in forms. Often difficult to zoom. Often unresponsive
- phone. limited data on call history
- calendar. OK but certainly not great UI
- maps. pretty much suck at this point
- stability. The phone has crashed on at least 3 occasions so far, and apps have frozen more often than that

Many of these issues can and I think will be fixed. But they are not there yet.

The Captn (Posted on 4/01/10)

you will love its speed and performance. (Posted on 8/12/09)