N97 firmware update impressions

The device has restarted after the completion of the firmware update. The first thing I notice is the kinetic scrolling throughout interface menus on the device. So far this is extremely convenient and is a welcomed remedy to constantly using the scroll bar.

My homescreen has been changed. Before the update I was using widgets for app shortcuts (messaging, web, Google Maps, Active Notes), Facebook, Gravity, music player, and email. After the update, the widget spaces for Facebook and Gravity are empty and the music player widget is replaced by the favorite contacts access. The email widget is left untouched.

Upon checking the application folder, I notice that all applications previously moved to the 32GB E drive are nowhere to be found. This at least explains the empty spaces on the homescreen, but I am concerned as to whether all data on the drive had been deleted (which shouldn't normally occur). The Guitar Rock game is also missing from the Games folder, and no sign of any music tracks can be found from the player. To my relief, all photos on the E drive are still intact, so a mass deletion may not the case. I proceed to turn off the N97 and power it back on to find that all of my apps are restored as normal. All music files are restored after I initiate a refresh of the library, and the kinetic scroll is EXTREMELY helpful in browsing its many entries.

There is a new Vlingo app and a message reader that I don't recall seeing in the previous firmware (I could be wrong on the message reader). Even though I haven't tried Vlingo before and have yet to open it, the message reader works as normal on previous ESeries devices that I had used.

The long press feature on the qwerty to input secondary characters is a much welcomed improvement. This proves to be very efficient for typing and keeps me from having to rely on the function key all the time.

Navigating the menus on the N97 seems faster, and I feel as if the noticed improvements grant more potential in making a worthwhile device. However, there are flaws from sluggish email downloads and malfunctions in certain widgets. The default S60 Messaging app is taking longer than usual to refresh my Gmail inbox and grant access to specific messages. I am also noticing moments when new emails aren't registering in the time interval I had assigned. I am hoping that deleting the inboxes and creating them again will be a useful solution. The Gravity widget still appears to work as normal, but there is seldom an error message stating that the network connection is suspended. I have no pending plans as to how to solve this, for deleting/reinstalling may require another purchase from the Ovi Store. Facebook runs just fine except for an error in displaying status updates in my Profile page. Even though generating the update in a text field occurs with regular text, it then appears onscreen as a couple unreadable characters. I have logged out of the widget and logged back in only to see a repeat of the same error. Deleting/reinstalling this widget app is probable since it is free from the Ovi Store.

Aside from those issues, there is one occurrence of the phone freezing in the middle of a voice call. Otherwise, the voice quality and volume is about the same.

Free space on the C drive is at around 25MB, and I still remain cautious of running too many apps at the same time.

This firmware update is by no means a perfect conclusion to the N97, but it is truly a great step in the right direction for added usability. Considering alternatives on the market, I remain confident that this NSeries handset offers the best convergence experience with advanced hardware and suitable software. As I continue to look for further changes on my phone, the Touch Pro 2 stays in its leather pouch in my laptop backpack.

TRENT
Sent from my Nokia N97
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TRENT SENSE blogger/netcast host
trentsense.com
youtube.com/absolon3

Nokia N97 Memory Management

Upon passing the first couple days of owning the N97, I had the pleasure of using the Nokia Sport Tracker on a 4 mile run. As always, my path was accurately traced via GPS and uploaded to the online service via the AT&T 3G network. It felt good to be in the presence of a well-rounded device that could meet many of my needs with ample functionality, but I experienced an unexpected fault. In the midst of obtaining GPS positioning data outside of my home, the N97 froze.
Immediately, I realized the need to remove the battery and didn't even break a sweat in frustration! Patience was the new method of dealing with minor tech gadget mishaps, and I wanted to be sure of my willingness to adhere to it.

During this time I happened to be on Gmail Chat with my Nokia brother, a great friend with whom I shared many smartphone conversations. He had witnessed my back and forth activity with the N97 since day one when he sold me his own model and eventually purchased another for himself. The chat going on at that moment began going into the subject of the phone's internal memory capacity. As far as I knew, the 32GB E drive was separate from both the C drive and any installed memory card. It was popular for people on online forum communities to complain about lack of ample space in the C drive, for it tended to slow down overall usage performance. A number of users reported on how they were able to delete unnecessary clutter on the C drive, and at least 30MB of free space was deemed to be an acceptable amount. Since I had first powered on my N97, I didn't give much thought into managing its internal memory and assumed I was fine. I was wrong. When I checked the free space of my Nokia's C drive, I was shocked to find only 7MB! I was in trouble!

At that point, my friend suggested that I do some clearing out of any apps that were pre-installed on the phone's internal memory...and there were quite a few. It was also recommended that I go into the default S60 web browser to clear all privacy data. Unfortunately, Nokia Messaging (aka Nokia Email) had to be removed since it was forced to take up considerable space on the C drive. Useless items like Hi5, Slideshow, Psiloc Traveler, and Spore quickly followed suit, but Boingo and JoikuSpot strangely didn't have a deletion option. Free apps such as Facebook, AccuWeather, and AP News could be reinstalled from the Ovi Store and saved to the 32GB mass storage E drive. This same E drive could also be selected as a default install location in Ovi Store settings for future applications. Upon removing Nokia Messaging along with those free apps, I redeemed 32MB of free space on the C drive!
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While I am happy to say that the N97 is performing just fine with absolutely no multitasking problems, I am finding it quite strange to be without Nokia Messaging for incoming email. I am instead using the default S60 messaging client and it does the job just fine without much fanfare for both Gmail inboxes. If I really want to see HTML, I can click a link in certain entries to gain access to it. There is the added benefit of the copy/paste function being available for the message body and not just the recipient line like in Nokia Email. What I will miss about the other email client is the convenience of typing a character in the recipient line to generate a drop menu of all potential contact addresses to choose from. What I will not miss from Nokia Email is the lack of integration with the rest of the N97 device. It is always a pain to attempt an email message via an app or interface command only to be confronted with a prompt to identify a new mailbox for the S60 client. The S60 version may not have the fancy graphical interface of Nokia Email, but looks are only a luxury and not a necessity. As long as incoming emails are in English, I am more than happy to accept this default client for the sake of freed space on the C drive.

It actually feels good to place my faith into the N97 as my primary device, for its hardware and software offers so many uses throughout any given day. I no longer get the impression that I am as limited in multimedia features as I used to be with the E71. Sliding open the Carl Zeiss lens to take a striking snapshot or smooth video at 30 frames per second, navigating the touch versions of Facebook and Gravity, keeping media in 32GB of storage along with an additional 16GB card, using my Sony headphones with the 3.5mm jack and a convenient call button mic with music playback controls, browsing Internet via the touch interface of either S60 Web or Opera Mini 5 beta: these things that come to mind are truly worth tolerating any quirks that may potentially plague the N97. After a fair dose of humility, it is sufficient to say that I am finally grateful for this particular device and its one-of-a-kind status amidst other Nokia devices. If I am not mistaken, there is no other S60 model that combines the prowess of Nokia NSeries hardware with a qwerty keypad. The upcoming N900 may do much to gain attention for future endeavors of Nokia, but the N97 currently bridges the gap between old-fashioned S60 functionality and modern touch interfacing...with a tactile qwerty.

TRENT
Sent from my Nokia N97
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TRENT SENSE blogger/netcast host
trentsense.com
youtube.com/absolon3

Doing the Unthinkable: Returning to the N97

Okay! I have come to terms with an admission of guilt over some words
that had been previously uttered by no one but me. These words were
critical of the Nokia N97...well, they were EXTREMELY critical to the
point where I even considered a hiatus of my usage of Nokia products.
At this moment, I am officially eating my words upon my return to the
N97.

Even after my most recent return to the E71, I am still left somewhat
unsatisfied from its functionality. True, there are many benefits that
make the qwerty bar model a convenient workhorse companion in daily
messaging, but a problem still persists: it is an ESeries device. From
a different perspective, being an ESeries model is certainly not a
problem...but being an E71 is. Even with all of the business-centric
features and professional grade build quality, I am simply bored with
its limited potential. The small screen without a touch interface
sometimes downgrades the user experience for certain applications, and
a lack of worthwhile multimedia support with an acceptable camera is a
turn-off as well. At the end of the day, I want a touch-enabled
multi-tasker that can truly be the jack of all trades for all that I
can possibly do with a Nokia.

My reason at this point for going with a black N97 is simply
familiarity and potential. Symbian S60 has been with me for years in
the 3rd edition variant and continues to remain steadfast in its 5th
edition. I can also declare that the upcoming N900 actually causes me
concern when I consider its Maemo newness. I don't necessarily want to
be on the cutting edge with a device that still doesn't offer support
for AT&T 3G. While other potential problems such as landscape-only use
and lack of MMS can eventually be fixed with updates, not having 3G
data access is detrimental to mobile efficiency. I have experienced
enough quirks with the EURO 3G HTC Touch Pro 2 to know the downfalls
of using EDGE only for data speed, and I refuse to go through that
again. I am hopeful that the N900 may emerge as a near-perfect device
for me, but it looks like only TMobile users will be able to unlock
its full potential when it is eventually released. Another thing to
consider is that the market for Maemo and its developer support may be
left to the hands of fate in regards to its success or failure. From
this view, the N97 seems like a wise decision.

Yes, I am aware that the N97 does possess problems that users such as
myself have pointed out before on blogposts and netcasts. Ultimately,
no device is perfect all the time, for there will always be a little
compromising to adhere to as an end user. I am more than willing to
right now adopt the NSeries line with a new sense of expectation and
not demand too much from it. I will only seek to effectively replace
the E71 with my continued use of Nokia Sport Tracker, Missing Sync for
Symbian, bluetooth tethering with Mac, Gravity, Nokia Messaging, and
Quickoffice.

The N97 still offers a number of multimedia and interface features
that make leaving the E71 worth it:being able to efficiently surf the
web with a large touchscreen, take and edit amazing pictures, shoot
great video footage, stay connected to my Facebook and Twitter
accounts via widgets, listen to music and voice calls with a 3.5mm
jack, remain in touch with Messaging, watch online flash videos,
experience stereo sound from suitable speakers, use Quickoffice,
tether my Mac via bluetooth, use GPS tracking on my runs, have access
to an acceptable qwerty and have US 3G support with reliable signal
reception. When it comes to a mobile device, this is all I really want
to get by in my daily routine as a smartphone patron. Anything else is
not as crucial as what I have already listed, and I am perfectly fine
to be without those extra features...if there are any left to even
consider. It is quite clear that I have calmed down on my smartphone
requirements since my failed use of a number of different models in
addition to the recent E71.

What makes the N97 so great is that it basically allows me to have my
cake and eat it, too! I can move to a different interface of a most
familiar OS that still retains much from its predecessor and continue
using Nokia apps I've grown accustomed to using over the years. Even
with all its potential hangups I had already written about, it is a
most useful tool for me...socially and professionally. Unlike the E71,
I can take advantage of OS navigation that at least feels modern to a
point and not feel trapped in a box of limitation with a small screen
and qwerty bar form factor. It is certainly my duty to understand that
no one model is flawless, but also my responsibility to recognize when
a model isn't completely hopeless. The N97 takes the role of a
promising phone since it essentially bridges the gap between old world
S60 and new world Maemo.

With that said, I am sure to await the arrival of the N900 and look
forward to any blogposts and further video reviews. I did have a
pre-order activated for a unit, but I canceled it after giving some
rational thought on the risks of adopting a new version of Maemo.
Jumping into a newly released mobile phone without research was my
immediate downfall with the N97, and I will never wish to do that
again. All we Nokia fans can do at this point is take any current
pre-release reviews with a grain of salt and wait.

In the meantime, I have decided to return the Nokia E71 back to Amazon
and remain exclusive to the N97 with the Euro Touch Pro 2 as a backup.
After getting over the initial shock myself, I am glad that I have
finally come to my senses. As this blogpost writing comes to a close
on this N97 qwerty as I listen to music via my headphones, I feel
relieved...finally.

--
TRENT
Sent from my Nokia N97
TRENT SENSE blogger/netcast host
trentsense.com
youtube.com/absolon3

Windows Mobile 6.5 impressions on the Touch Pro 2

The official update for Windows Mobile 6.5 on the HTC site really caught me off guard, for I didn't expect it to be available soon after my failed attempt from the day before. I had previously downloaded an unofficial 6.5 update from HTCPedia.com and transferred it to my Touch Pro 2, but received an error message whenever I tried to install it from the File Explorer.

 

Now that I finally have the new OS on my HTC, I am impressed with the overall cosmetic changes and added features. The homescreen upon first reboot introduces me to the HTC Sense interface for the first time, and I definitely like what I see. At first glance, the weather data for the current location is located just below the Rolodex display of the clock. The icons on the horizontal scrolling taskbar have been infused with new graphics and vibrant color, and a Programs tab has been added after the Settings tab. With the Programs listed as the last tab, the Start Menu button revealed an entirely new layout with a plethora of icons in a honeycomb-like arrangement. If I am not mistaken, I think these icons certainly appear to have a revamped look while new ones have been included as well. One pleasant surprise has been the visual weather effects on the homescreen during standby. Whatever the current weather phenomena happens to be at any given time, the TP2 will suddenly use animation to make the weather come to life onscreen for a number of seconds and then fade it away. For example, a sunny forecast would call for rays of light to emanate from the sun and rotate slowly before fading away into faint clouds; a rainy forecast would cause raindrops to suddenly overtake the homescreen only to be wiped away by a swooping wiper blade; a cloudy forecast brings about a number of clouds that arrive from both sides of the screen and engulf the entire background before going away. This kind of attention to detail is what wins me over to the HTC TouchFLO 3D!

 

There is one aspect of Windows Mobile 6.5 that turns me off from first sight: the original default Windows layout for the homescreen. Whether I am biased to the HTC TouchFLO 3D or not, I simply do not find the default screen to be efficient at all for daily use. Having a listing of features with a magnifying strip is simple and clean, but not as useful or eye-catching as the HTC version. Another terrible feature of 6.5 is the available lineup of selectable themes that may be a sad attempt by Microsoft to be modern and hip with catchy name descriptions: Isaac Mizrahi Purple, DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg) Green, and Vera Wang Red. Really? Seriously? While I understand the attempt to cater to the younger and fashionable generation, I don't see any artistic quality at all in either of the themes aside from the default Windows setting. The fashion designer-inspired themes feel gaudy, over-the-top, and excessive for a Windows Mobile smartphone in my opinion.

 

There is a new version of Internet Explorer that FINALLY supports flash videos, basically spitting in the face of the default Opera Mobile browser that STILL doesn't support them.

 

FM Radio is available from the Start Menu, but only turns on when the wired headset is connected to operate as an antenna.

 

YouTube videos on the pre-installed HTC player are opened and playback with no trouble via my wifi connection.

 

Windows Marketplace is available and looks like a good competitor to the Ovi Store on Nokia devices as well as the Android and WebOS marketplace variants. The most impressive aspect of this feature is its ability to grant you a choice of payment for purchasing apps. I was pleasantly surprised to be asked whether I wanted to make the transaction with my AT&T account or a personal card! I am able to sign in with a Windows Live ID to browse any potential app choices, and I have so far installed the free Associated Press app. This news media application reflects the same usability I experienced on the Nokia N97, and the interface is comprehensive and clean. I am currently thinking of a Twitter app called Twikini that's available, but wonder if it is a good move from PockeTwit.

 

Update: Twikini is just as reliable as TwitPic if not more. The interface is clean and navigation is smooth with kinetic scrolling. I have no trouble uploading pictures from the TP2 library into a tweet, and other people's pictures show up clearly when included in a message. It is still a bit eerie to hear the bird chirp audible alert for a new incoming tweet. Personally, I still prefer the Gravity app on my Nokia E71 in regards to fast usability and a better camera.

 

Microsoft MyPhone appears to be a syncing service that basically stores phone information into the cloud via a special access site. I am thinking that this is similar to Apple's Mobile Me or Google's GooSync. Since I already updated my TP2 with one sync via Missing Sync to my Mac, I proceeded with downloading the PIM data to this service. In order to use this, one must also sign in with a Windows Live ID. Upon signing in I see that there are premium services available from MyPhone that of course may cost extra after a free trial: lost phone locator with a map, remote locking/erasing of a lost phone, and a remote phone ringer.

 

So far, these are the only noticeable changes on the TP2 to my knowledge, and I may play with the phone for only a little while before returning to my Nokia E71. Aside from the visual transformations and a few additional features, the TP2 with its Windows Mobile OS is still the same as before. In the midst of making a tweet via Twikini, a low battery alert appeared onscreen and caused the app to freeze. It is this kind of random instability that sometimes irritates me, but there are other aspects of the qwerty slider that make it worthwhile. Nonetheless, I have been reunited with my E71 and see no future plans of going back to the Touch Pro 2 any time soon…even with 6.5. The changes may been nice to look at, but the operation of the OS itself hasn't changed at all. At this point, I doubt that I will even look forward to what the AT&T Tilt 2 has to offer, especially since it is locked.

--
Trent Smith
Sent from my MacBook Aluminum
TRENT SENSE blogger/netcast host
trentsense.com
youtube.com/absolon3

Inevitable Return to the Nokia E71

From my previous blog posting, readers may have noticed it was written from a Nokia E71 and they would certainly be correct. I have returned to the qwerty bar factor of this device and its Symbian S60 3rd edition OS, and I honestly feel relieved from the boredom of the Touch Pro 2.

It is not that the HTC is a mediocre smartphone, for it still remains to be an impressive model in some ways...especially with its qwerty. However, amongst a few slight drawbacks there is one that bothered me a bit...and surprisingly it was not lack of US 3G on the unlocked version. It is sometimes difficult to find a sense of efficient usability with daily tasks on the feature set of the TP2. This was particularly true when I was in the midst of working at ECPI for my internship. I used the qwerty slider to record a log of daily responsibilities onto the Notes section as the workday went on, and I found it to be too bulky and clunky at certain moments. Having the touchscreen, stylus, and sliding qwerty seemed to be overkill and took away from productivity whenever I had to maneuver moving parts to use the qwerty. While this is to be expected when I bought the Windows Mobile phone, I still enjoy its big screen, speakers, and full keypad for casual use outside of the workplace.

With the addition of SportyPal, PockeTwit, Missing Sync, and media content on a 16GB microSD card, the Touch Pro 2 easily takes the place of the E71 for the most part. However, there are some benefits of the Nokia that I found myself missing while using the HTC.

Speed and portability: whether this is due to my familiarity with Symbian or the operating system itself, there seems to be faster navigation through onboard features and apps. The touchscreen with its sporadic instances of unresponsiveness can feel like a hindrance on Windows Mobile at times, even with the inclusion of TouchFLO 3D. While non-touch devices can experience the same problems of lag and response time, it appears to be more of an inconvenience for me on touch models. Being able to pull the E71 from my pocket and quickly activate a one-handed command feels better than having to operate a slider and then use touch (or even use touch alone). While I do appreciate the variety of inputs available on the Touch Pro 2, the E71 does have an unassuming, uncluttered charm. The slim profile of the Nokia is a welcomed feature to avoid the use of a clunky beltclip holster and engage in more comfortable typing. There were times on-the-go when I fumbled with the TP2 in a fast attempt to either retrieve or return it to the holster, and this certainly increased the risk of dropping. Despite the awe-inspiring layout of the HTC qwerty, I do prefer the vertical orientation of the E71 qwerty for lengthy writing. It feels more natural to my hands and also much simpler with only tactile buttons being the primary input source.

Durability: I was a little turned off by the slight damage of my TP2 after I had dropped it onto concrete in the rain. There was a clear understanding of the plastic composition of its physical build, but something still bothered me. For practically half of HTC's retail price, my past E71 offered superior build quality with its blend of plastic and metallic parts. This same Nokia had been dropped twice and received slight blemishes to its finish that were barely noticeable at first glance. However, after the HTC was dropped one time, it looked as if it was done multiple times with extent of the damage. Such a risk could have been placed on the Touch Pro 2 due to its bulky size, but my past Nokia E90 models quickly prove this idea wrong. They were much larger, still maintained a higher build quality from the Nokia ESeries line, and survived moments of being dropped. True, I could purchase a case unit for the Touch Pro 2, but this only adds to its bulk.

3G data access: Being able to use 3G to tether a smartphone to my Mac for portable Internet browsing without wifi is a HUGE convenience that not many people utilize. Even though it may not be as speedy as wifi, it still gets the job done in the right amount of time. Leisure activities such as watching YouTube videos can be an absolute pain without fast 3G or wifi. I've tried YouTube downloads over EDGE speeds, but that endeavor required endless patience. Using EDGE also seems to bring about weak signal reception, at least in my own home.

Efficient typing experience: Even though the Touch Pro 2 happens to possess a most advanced qwerty for any mobile device, there are some drawbacks. The overall width of the keypad can seem cumbersome after a while, and there is a lack of punctuation shortcuts. Something as simple as placing an apostrophe into words such as "didn't" or "can't" may not appear to be crucial, but that's the kind of detail that the E71 handles with no trouble at all. As for the HTC, there is always the XT9 variant which only clutters the screen with a horizontal stripe of unnecessary words. Even though the TP2 managed to get the automatic placement of the period correct with a simple double space after the ending word, the E71 just feels better to use for fast typing.

All of these reasons can basically sum up why I've returned to the Nokia E71 as my main device. It is the most suitable workforce smartphone and exercises the fullest potential in multitasking. The Touch Pro 2 has its benefits, but they weren't enough to keep me from missing the broad functionality of the E71. It feels great to be back with Symbian S60 on a NON-touchscreen Nokia model, and I will be sure to never take it for granted again.

Trent Smith
Sent from my Nokia E71
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TRENT SENSE blogger/netcast host
trentsense.com
YouTube.com/absolon3

N900 Anticipation

After reading the extensive preview article from Michael Jerz on My-Symbian.com, I can honestly say that I am really looking forward to the N900 release! Unlike any other smartphone platform currently available, the Maemo OS overlaid with Nokia's Hildon interface seems to reflect the same potential as a desktop computer...more so than Windows Mobile. What won me over initially were the specs for the processor being similar to the iPhone 3GS, the support of separate COLOR-CODED calendar categories, the presence of a Sync/Transfer icon in OS pictures, a somewhat improved qwerty, an included Documents-To-Go office suite, and multimedia features similar to those of the N97.

I clearly understand that there is one potential caveat to adopting Maemo: the possible abandonment of all things S60 in regards to apps I had become accustomed to using. This is absolutely frightening after having experienced the benefits of previous S60-compatible apps such as Nokia Sport Tracker, Gravity, Facebook widget, Nokia Messaging and the crucial Missing Sync for Symbian. Of these few listed, Missing Sync may be the hardest one to let go since it has been present throughout my years as a smartphone user of multiple OS platforms. Syncing with a Mac is not necessarily a popular endeavor amidst non-Apple devices, yet Missing Sync has made that possible for every smartphone OS I have encountered (including the Windows Mobile of my current Touch Pro 2). However, I am wondering if taking advantage of this new Maemo smartphone OS platform combined with Nokia's typical multimedia feature set would make it worthwhile to bid farewell to S60. Now that I'm thinking of it, another potential problem could be the screen orientation of the interface being primarily horizontal. Some people may find themselves missing the vertical access to interface navigation that has been such a mainstay in smartphones and feature phones alike. While this may not seem to be of much importance amidst the excitement of the N900's arrival, this could potentially take away from an efficient user experience...thus, taking away from the overall impression of the device itself.

While the Touch Pro 2 is definitely worth every penny I spent for it, there is a slight boredom in regards to my daily use of its features. The TouchFLO 3D interface remains to be one of the most innovative implementations of the Windows Mobile OS, but I sometimes find myself wanting a refreshed sense of the typical smartphone experience. Using the touchscreen for quick navigation along with a great qwerty for text input has been reliable for the most part, but the multimedia still seems to be lacking. An average-grade camera that has no flash only becomes an object of little interest to me. This proved to be true during my nights in school when I needed to take pictures of circuit board components for lab report assignments, and I never had this problem with my E71.

The N97 was not meant to meet my needs in the same manner as an ESeries device, but the N900 does seem to be a perfect combination of qualities from both the ESeries and NSeries product lines. A touchscreen of ample size with a suitable camera and tactile qwerty keypad all seem to complement the 600MHz processor on the inside. I have read on the My-Symbian preview article about a chance of the internal storage RAM not being enough for downloaded apps, but I hold firm to most of my faith in the N900. With all of that said, I am still a bit worried that I may end up realizing the documented N900 specs were nothing short of duplicitous. I wholeheartedly wish that this will not be the case, but I can only wait and see in the meantime.

Adopting Maemo as a new smartphone OS on a Nokia device is truly worth all of the suspense. Since I had last used the N810 tablet and wished for inclusion of GSM services, I never thought the opportunity would actually arrive. Now that it is here, I cannot help but find myself eager to take part in becoming a Maemo end-user. In the heyday of the N810, there seemed to be VERY little attention given to Maemo and its potential and I was soon bored of the tablet. I believe that the N900 may be able to turn that around for a positive outcome. It is unfortunate that Nokia appears to be stuck in using the same interface implementation with typical fonts and graphics, but this could be overlooked with much improved performance that is expected. Despite the pitfalls looming over every early adopter, there is still an excitement that comes from being one of the first in public domain to partake in the N900. Perhaps this manner of notoriety is completely conjured in my own mind, but I cannot help being a fan of mobile gadgets! As each day goes by with my taking advantage of what mobile gadgetry has to offer, I feel privileged to be a part of this modern culture.

Trent Smith
Sent from my Nokia E71
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TRENT SENSE blogger/netcast host
trentsense.com
YouTube.com/absolon3