Is it a bird, Is it a plane? | Bangkok Post: tech

Nokia, the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer, by far, released the highly anticipated N900 in Thailand recently to much expectation. The highly competitive smartphone market is now about more than just specs and aesthetics. Nokia has rolled out a new operating system on the N900, which seems more like an internet tablet than a phone, perhaps hinting at a sign of things to come. Let's take a closer look.

NOKIA N900

The immediate impression of the N900 is its chunky feel. Although it is a little plasticky, the device's solid build, 181g weight and clean black lines make it look more like military issue than an Emporium handbag accessory. N96 users will notice the 18mm thickness more than those converting from the N810, as it definately bulges the pocket more than other popular smartphones. The phone predominantly operates in landscape mode, orientating the power button to the centre top. A flicker stand-by switch lies on the right side, just above the 3.5mm headphone jack/tv out port. And a micro USB charger port appears on the other side - the position of which is annoying as it gets in the way of two-handed operation. Nokia might have been better to pack the top, and maybe the bottom, with buttons and ports to keep them out of the way but still within easy finger range.

INSIDE

Without the usual call, cancel and function buttons, the dominant feature of the phone is the impressive 3.5-inch WVGA 800x480 touch display. It uses resistive technology, so you can use your fingernail, although the stylus is required occasionally. In the engine room is an ARM Cortex-A8 microprocessor running at 600MHz, the same CPU found in 3GS iPhones and Motorola Droids. Here, the CPU integrates a PowerVR SGX 530 graphics processor for extra performance, also enhanced by a total of 1GB of application memory and 32GB of internal storage, expandable through the microSD slot. The high-end specs don't end there, as the roomy N900 chassis is packed with any smartphone feature you could think of. The five megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens takes very decent photos for such a device, especially in natural light, and the dual LED flash is better than most. It is missing some functions from the N97 camera app, but is better than the Droid and iPhone 3GS cameras.

FUNCTIONALITY

Single-handed operation of the N900 is difficult, as it favours landscape orientation, similar to a PSP. Also, the keyboard is disappointing. It only slides out a little over a third of the device's width to offer three rows of cramped keys and a micro space bar in the wrong place. The battery life, at less than a working day with decent use, is disappointing, even on such a high-spec unit.

SOFTWARE

A major point of interest on the N900 is the new Linux-based Maemo 5 operating system. An overhaul of the archaic Symbian platform is long overdue, and users will warmly welcome Nokia into the open-source realm - surely the future of operating systems on such devices, mobile or otherwise. Maemo 5 features a convenient dashboard display. A clickable yellow dialogue bubble conveniently appears with any relevant notifications and the Skype or VoIP integration is brilliant. Another highlight of the system is the impressive lag-less browser from the Mozilla camp, with Flash 9.4 compatibility and a number of convenient zoom functions, almost matching the pleasurable browsing experience of the iPhones.

CONCLUSION

The N900 is certainly no bird nor plane, but its not quite a smartphone either. Rather, it's more of a high-spec internet tablet that also makes calls, which will attract device geeks, but the everyday phone user might miss the multimedia emphasis of other leading phones and will not be willing to tolerate the extra pocket bulge. As always, it depends on needs and expectations, so if a good phone, sturdy build and great web browser are a priority over extra apps and compactness, then the N900 will justify its hefty price tag.