N900 ‘Could Be a Game Changer’

N900 is road-tested: "Will raise the bar"

Overdue and underhyped, the Nokia N900 will finally go on sale later this month and is looking to overpower the iPhone whilst simulating a more laptop-like experience. A tall order, but the Finns are confident.

As geeks reported in August the new phone was due in October but teething problems have stalled its release.

But it has just been road-tested on the technology conference circuit and feedback looks positive. So positive it may change the game for smartphones.

Most smartphones of late lay claim to the mantle of ‘pocket computer’ but most fall short, having nowhere near the power or usability of a desktop or laptop.

Whilst the largest handset manufacturer in the world, has reported a fall in profits – losing out to the likes of Apple and BlackBerry – the Scandinavians have been ploughing on with their N900 model.

As they have been losing money, the release of theit next device is crucial. But the Finns are confident their next generation phone will be crowned a true pocket computer.

The first test models have been very well received, having all the features we’ve come to expect from the modern smartphone and some huge new additions.

The phone will be turbocharged by high-calibre processors and feature fast internet access, an abundance of storage, precision digital camera, 3.5in touch-screen and access to an app store to further enhance the model with extra software, games and tools.

But the most important feature is the powerhouse operating system which promises a performance second to none. Not even a fruit-based phone.

Nokia has previously used Maemo, a Linux-based operating system on its internet tablets but the system, developed by Nokia, is installed on the N900 and has been designed with replicating desktop computing on a mobile device.

The system enables users to create multiple “desktops” for listening to music, IM chat or browsing and clean switching between desktops by skimming a finger across the screen.

Able to run multiple applications at once, the user will receive instant notifications if there is activity on any of their ‘desktops’ so if an IM or email is received.

The internet browser is based on the same architecture as Mozilla Firefox and users will have access to Nokia’s Ovi app store to further enhance their pocket computer.

As with the Palm Pre, released last month, the N900 makes no distinction between methods used to correspond but assembles all communication be it email, text, phone call, IM into a single thread.

“The philosophy behind Maemo was to find a way of bringing computer technology to a mobile device,” says Janne Heikkinen, director of product planning for Nokia. “We wanted to introduce a true internet experience in a pocketable form.”

“People always have multiple windows and programs open on their computer at home. When they browse the internet, they have multiple tabs open and switch between those. That is the sort of experience people now want on a mobile device. The user interface and architecture behind Maemo means that we can bring lots of new capabilities to users.”

Heikkinen has the device situated between a smartphone and a netbook, reflecting Nokia’s expectations when the model was announced.

He believes the N900 is targeted at technology enthusiasts. “This will be the most powerful mobile device on the market, not just because of the technical merits, but because of how the user interface and overall architecture support multitasking and the other functions. We also see it as a very important innovation platform for developers.”

Industry experts believe the N900 could force other models to raise their game as it genuinely seems set to represent a desktop computer experience.

Geoff Blaber, an analyst with CCS Insight said the model ”could be a game changer”.

The emphasis on rich visuals and multitasking is key. Multitasking will become increasingly important in a world where the phone is being used to access multiple functions, applications and services. It’s a challenge that Apple faces with the iPhone.”

As Apple’s iPhone is unable to run multiple applications simultaneously, they will have their eagle i on the N900 and Google’s momentum-gathering Android system and how the market receives the new technology.