This comparison is restricted to iPhone vs n900, since android hardware varies more widely.
The comparison is also a 'what is it like to live with' instead of the raw specs.
Summary of part2: the hardware of the n900 is more impressive. If raw features is what you are looking for, the n900 impresses.
1. Battery life.
This is a simple one, the iPhone has better battery life. It is harder to add a long life battery for the iPhone, but in the spirit of the strengths of the iPhone, despite it being tricky some one has done it and it is available. You can get spare batteries for the n900, and yes there are long life batteries also.
Both will iphone and n900 will fail to survive a full day if used heavily enough, but the n900 battles just that little for often and more people run out of power on an n900. Having said that, people with n900s tend to use the device to do more. If you really want to do a lot with your device, then the n900 becomes a stronger choice. Are you a casual user? If so, then the iPhone looks good. But if you are a heavy user of your mobile device and therefore more likely to choose the n900 be prepared to use some 'through the day' charging solution, or a spare or long life battery on those days where you really use the n900 to the full extent. I don't have a spare or long life battery and it is not a problem. However if i am sitting at a desk using the n900 a lot almost as a laptop then i am using a computer keyboard and display and the n900 is on charge.
2. Display.
The n900 display can show almost 3 times the information of the iphone screen. In many cases you need good eyes or glasses to see 3 times the detail of an iphone screen but if you try to watch a movie of ip tv or 3d you will really see the difference. The n900 is also 3d accelerated and the iphone is not.
Also, when web browsing a regular web page, 480 pixels across is just not enough whereas 800 pixels can get everything.
So it depends on your usage. The n900 display is much more detailed and for some applications this matters, however if your primary use is as phone, the increased resolution won't be noticed very often.
3. Touch Screen.
It is really hard to move from n900 to iPhone and vice versa. With each, you learn how to do touch the screen to get best result and that same technique will NOT work on the other. Capacitive vs resistive generates almost a religious fervour. Certainly it is easy to see anyone accustom to either as feeling the other system is terrible. With the iPhone use the pad of your finger, with the n900 use the tip near the nail- or the nail itself.
In the end I found both about equal. The iPhone is easier to touch as you almost don't need to make contact. However a broad point of contact works best and for the finest work it is like trying to be accurate with a balloon. The iPhone carefully avoids you needing to be accurate and the lower resolution display is less appropriate for those application on the n900 that use the great accuracy of touch on the n900.
So - for general navigation the iPhone is just easy, a simple tool that does simple tasks brilliantly, but you cant use gloves or a regular stylus.
Touch on the n900 allows finer work which goes well with the higher resolution display, allows gloves and works well with the included stylus.
In the end, equal points. For simplest stuff the iPhone is best, for detailed tasks the n900 shines.
4. Camera etc.
The iPhone is currently a 3mpix camera and the camera, also capable of video on the 3Gs version. The n900 is 5mpix, again video capable, and while usually megapixels are a very poor guide to camera resolution in this case the quatlity is not far off the the 3 to 5 ration suggested by the pixels.
The n900 also has a useful dual-led flash/video light as well as a second camera for video calls.
The n900 also has infra red as well as fm radio. An extra feature of the n900 is fm transmitter so your music can be enjoyed anywhere there is an fm receiver. No cable required.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
iPhone vs Nokia N900 vs Android ...part1
This comparision will be posted in a number of parts, and I am going to concentrate on the iPhone vs Nokia N900 and make references to Android, partly because there are several Android phones, and partly because I think Android tends to in some ways sit in the middle and where as the iPhone and N900 are opposite ends of the spectrum.
This is not a superficial test, but the results of living with the different devices for an extended period of time.
So who wins, iPhone or Nokia N900? The answer is it depends on you. If you want a cozy world where big brother Apple looks after your needs, the iPhone is for you. If you want freedom and will suffer some of the anarchy and are willing to do things for yourself that a big brother would help you with, take the N900. You will see more of the pros and cons of each as we go through the experiences.
Experience No1- The out of box experience.
Actually the out-of-box experience is very telling.
iPhone.
The iPhone went with me to meet some friends. I opened the box and took the iPhone out and brought it with me with the idea I would equip it with a SIM and start playing with it while I was out. The first surprise was it was not at all obvious how i would open the SIM holder. A little detective work solved the problem, it was clear a small tool was needed, and it was logical this tool was at home in the box. No problem, a borrowed improvised tool (an earring) solved this. Insert the SIM and turn the phone on. It was then I discovered the first negative experience. The iPhone asked to be connected to iTunes. I thought 'OK, we can do that later, but I need the phone now'. It soon became clear that the iPhone cannot be activated without connecting to a computer running iTunes. You must have a computer, and you MUST install iTunes! If you have iTunes already this is no big deal, but if you find this a little dictatorial you may be more an N900 person. Load up iTunes and register to apple and the roadblock is passed. Sync your contacts and you are away. Note if moving from an Outlook addressbook there are limits on bringing multiple mobile numbers (car, mobile, work mobile or foreign mobile for example) for the smae contact across. The out of box is over. Using the device is intuitive.
n900.
No problem inserting the SIM although the mechanism for opening the rear cover is obvious it is not the most comfortable mechanism. At first startup the n800 asks a series of question. It seems very strange that once English is selected as a Language, then you must set your timezone to be somewhere in England! Very strange! Actually I am in Australia at the time and Australia is not even an option! So an English speaking person cannot travel to a non-english speaking country? So if you speak Finnish and wish that as your language can you only ever have your time zone as Finland? I am aware there have been updates for n900 and the first thing I do is download updates. The process is very smooth and simple. I need to download two updates and restart each time, however the data i entered into the phone as a test is retained and after updates I am now able to locate myself in Australia and the functionality is clearly improved.
Summary: For the Apple you need to link to Apple, install Apple software on your computer before you can use the device. For the n900 you need to update the device and it is clear the device moves from 'very raw' to 'more mature' in the process. With Apple you are tied to Apple, with the n900 you are dealing with a work in progress.
Software and Apps.
The Case.
opening the box!
The out
This is not a superficial test, but the results of living with the different devices for an extended period of time.
So who wins, iPhone or Nokia N900? The answer is it depends on you. If you want a cozy world where big brother Apple looks after your needs, the iPhone is for you. If you want freedom and will suffer some of the anarchy and are willing to do things for yourself that a big brother would help you with, take the N900. You will see more of the pros and cons of each as we go through the experiences.
Experience No1- The out of box experience.
Actually the out-of-box experience is very telling.
iPhone.
The iPhone went with me to meet some friends. I opened the box and took the iPhone out and brought it with me with the idea I would equip it with a SIM and start playing with it while I was out. The first surprise was it was not at all obvious how i would open the SIM holder. A little detective work solved the problem, it was clear a small tool was needed, and it was logical this tool was at home in the box. No problem, a borrowed improvised tool (an earring) solved this. Insert the SIM and turn the phone on. It was then I discovered the first negative experience. The iPhone asked to be connected to iTunes. I thought 'OK, we can do that later, but I need the phone now'. It soon became clear that the iPhone cannot be activated without connecting to a computer running iTunes. You must have a computer, and you MUST install iTunes! If you have iTunes already this is no big deal, but if you find this a little dictatorial you may be more an N900 person. Load up iTunes and register to apple and the roadblock is passed. Sync your contacts and you are away. Note if moving from an Outlook addressbook there are limits on bringing multiple mobile numbers (car, mobile, work mobile or foreign mobile for example) for the smae contact across. The out of box is over. Using the device is intuitive.
n900.
No problem inserting the SIM although the mechanism for opening the rear cover is obvious it is not the most comfortable mechanism. At first startup the n800 asks a series of question. It seems very strange that once English is selected as a Language, then you must set your timezone to be somewhere in England! Very strange! Actually I am in Australia at the time and Australia is not even an option! So an English speaking person cannot travel to a non-english speaking country? So if you speak Finnish and wish that as your language can you only ever have your time zone as Finland? I am aware there have been updates for n900 and the first thing I do is download updates. The process is very smooth and simple. I need to download two updates and restart each time, however the data i entered into the phone as a test is retained and after updates I am now able to locate myself in Australia and the functionality is clearly improved.
Summary: For the Apple you need to link to Apple, install Apple software on your computer before you can use the device. For the n900 you need to update the device and it is clear the device moves from 'very raw' to 'more mature' in the process. With Apple you are tied to Apple, with the n900 you are dealing with a work in progress.
Software and Apps.
The Case.
opening the box!
The out
the apple catalogue is a model for the industry!
No, I am not an Apple 'fanboy'. I test their products, but i don't even use them as my own personal choice. However when Apple does something way better than the industry, it is worth acknowledging. Apple negative points are worthy of note too...but today is about a strength.
Look at the apple catalogue, in particular the iPhones and MacBooks. Compare the list of phones with those of Nokia, Samsung or Sony-Ericsson. Compare the list of laptops with those of Dell, Asus or HP.
The point to notice is that Apple don't make a huge list of choices, and it is easy to determine the relative strengths and weaknesses of the various models. For any of the competitors listed, there is a myriad models. Take Asus notebooks for example. While for some models (usually special models like the bamboo notebook) their is a clear differentiator, but more often their seems to be several models where the specification difference is unclear. It is really difficult to decide which model is most appropriate for your use, or even which model is should command the higher price.
Most competitors simply give far too many options. Not only is it confusing to make a choice as to which model to buy, when it comes to support there are so many models to provide drivers for or find others with the same machine who have solved the problem you are facing.
With less models to choose from, Apple products are industry best sellers even where Apple are not the industry leader. Nokia sells far more phones than Apple, but does any Nokia sell in similar volumes to the iPhone?
Since individual models are such volume sellers, the accessory market is also better. You can get more covers and accessories for an iPhone than for a 'Nokia' partly because there are so many different Nokias. Want a special cradle to mount your phone to you bicycle for example? Buy an iPhone!
Nokia, Motorola, Samsung really need to take notice. Make a great case design and keep using the exact same footprint to allow the production of accessories. Rationalise the product line! Allow software to differential product instead of an array of very similar yet different case designs. Nokia has done this with the E71,E72 and E63. They need to do this more often!
Anyone agree that choosing models from many suppliers seems like wading through specification of products that simply dont seem different enough?
and finding others who have overcome a problem to one you have discovered,
Look at the apple catalogue, in particular the iPhones and MacBooks. Compare the list of phones with those of Nokia, Samsung or Sony-Ericsson. Compare the list of laptops with those of Dell, Asus or HP.
The point to notice is that Apple don't make a huge list of choices, and it is easy to determine the relative strengths and weaknesses of the various models. For any of the competitors listed, there is a myriad models. Take Asus notebooks for example. While for some models (usually special models like the bamboo notebook) their is a clear differentiator, but more often their seems to be several models where the specification difference is unclear. It is really difficult to decide which model is most appropriate for your use, or even which model is should command the higher price.
Most competitors simply give far too many options. Not only is it confusing to make a choice as to which model to buy, when it comes to support there are so many models to provide drivers for or find others with the same machine who have solved the problem you are facing.
With less models to choose from, Apple products are industry best sellers even where Apple are not the industry leader. Nokia sells far more phones than Apple, but does any Nokia sell in similar volumes to the iPhone?
Since individual models are such volume sellers, the accessory market is also better. You can get more covers and accessories for an iPhone than for a 'Nokia' partly because there are so many different Nokias. Want a special cradle to mount your phone to you bicycle for example? Buy an iPhone!
Nokia, Motorola, Samsung really need to take notice. Make a great case design and keep using the exact same footprint to allow the production of accessories. Rationalise the product line! Allow software to differential product instead of an array of very similar yet different case designs. Nokia has done this with the E71,E72 and E63. They need to do this more often!
Anyone agree that choosing models from many suppliers seems like wading through specification of products that simply dont seem different enough?
and finding others who have overcome a problem to one you have discovered,
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
technical post.....how to ssh to the nokia n900
This is a technical post.....if not interested in tech stuff, and in specific, you don;t know what ssh is or own an n900....then move to other posts.
SSH allows a secure connection to a computer at the most basic level, so you can remotely copy files or perform other operations on the computer...enough of that now for the answers!
Step 1. Simply enable the extras repository and install openSSH client and server. You can check SSH is now running by using 'ps -ef |grep ssh'
Step 2. try simply ssh root@ from another device on the same subnet.....Note: in most cases this will NOT work, even though SSH is set up.
The reason this doesnt work is the way the n900 conserves wifi power and doesn't 'keep alive' the wifi connection
3. From the terminal on the n900, try 'ssh root@127.0.0.1'. Note: in many cases 'localhost' will not resolve so no point using that.
4. if the n900 cant ssh to itself you have an additional problem, but if it does work then all is normal.
5. set the n900 to ping the router.
6. ssh to the n900. the 'pings' keep the wifi alive and you should have no problem getting in
SSH allows a secure connection to a computer at the most basic level, so you can remotely copy files or perform other operations on the computer...enough of that now for the answers!
Step 1. Simply enable the extras repository and install openSSH client and server. You can check SSH is now running by using 'ps -ef |grep ssh'
Step 2. try simply ssh root@
The reason this doesnt work is the way the n900 conserves wifi power and doesn't 'keep alive' the wifi connection
3. From the terminal on the n900, try 'ssh root@127.0.0.1'. Note: in many cases 'localhost' will not resolve so no point using that.
4. if the n900 cant ssh to itself you have an additional problem, but if it does work then all is normal.
5. set the n900 to ping the router.
6. ssh to the n900. the 'pings' keep the wifi alive and you should have no problem getting in
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Meego, the n900, and how Nokia doesn't yet 'get' smartphones!
Recently Nokia and Intel announced the merger of the Maemo and Moblin smartphone operating systems. While this could be a good thing, it has left many Nokia N900 owners wondering what is going to happen to them?
Specifically their big question is: will the N900 support this new Meego or will the N900 be at a 'dead end'. The answer from Nokia is 'no, there is no plan to offer Meego on the N900'. Worse than this, there has been no plan to offer Maemo6 on the N900 either. While the name of the next release is undecided between Maemo6 or Meego and will in either event be Meego compatible, it was never planned to be offered to N900 buyers. Nor phones with the first version of Meego be offered an upgrade to the the second version. Each device 'obsolete' very quickly unless things at Nokia change.
The reason for this is Nokia things about Maemo devices the same way it has always though about Symbian devices. That is, a device will only ever run the release originally offered. Can you recall a Nokia phone that moved from one version of Symbian to another? If a new phone with a newer Symbian was released soon after you bought a phone, do you seek to move to the new version? Generally 'no' and it all comes down to difference between a phone and a computer.
Historically, computers have the option of running a new version of operating system, but phones don't get that choice. For computers, a big deal is made of the operating system whereas historically the OS has simply been the engine to enable the phone to work. More specifically, with a computer it is anticipated you may wish to run the latest apps, and historically, prior to the iPhone, most people didn't even run apps on their phone. If apps were present, they were an accessory, not central to using the phone in its primary role.
Now all this has changed, but Nokia doesn't yet have the mindset for the change. Until they do have that mindset, new Nokia phones will only ever have Nokia support to run the OS originally offered.
Traditional computer buyers, for example buying a Macbook, would be horrified if Apple two months later introduced lepoards, tigers, lions or other big cats and did not offer this OS to existing customers with a new enough computer for it to function, but phone buyers have not had this offering since application software compatibility was historically not an issue.
Now Nokia has the N900 'mobile computer'. People think of it like a computer and expect computer treatment with respect to software upgrades. However Nokia hasn't made that leap yet!
Until this approach changes at Nokia, there will be disappointment in the mobile computer customer ranks. Sure their will be community versions not supported by Nokia, but Apple with their computer background will encourage moving to the latest software to enable the largest base for application developers, and Nokia will treat devices as traditional phones and developers will not be as enthusiastic.
Yes, it does sound like there are other reasons why the N900 will be an orphan, but the mindset still needs an update if Nokia is to avoid angering the faithful.
Phones are not obsolete when a new OS is released if they cannot be upgraded are they? That only applies to computers surely?
For background, here is a link to a video on unwired that where some Nokia views are expressed:
here
Specifically their big question is: will the N900 support this new Meego or will the N900 be at a 'dead end'. The answer from Nokia is 'no, there is no plan to offer Meego on the N900'. Worse than this, there has been no plan to offer Maemo6 on the N900 either. While the name of the next release is undecided between Maemo6 or Meego and will in either event be Meego compatible, it was never planned to be offered to N900 buyers. Nor phones with the first version of Meego be offered an upgrade to the the second version. Each device 'obsolete' very quickly unless things at Nokia change.
The reason for this is Nokia things about Maemo devices the same way it has always though about Symbian devices. That is, a device will only ever run the release originally offered. Can you recall a Nokia phone that moved from one version of Symbian to another? If a new phone with a newer Symbian was released soon after you bought a phone, do you seek to move to the new version? Generally 'no' and it all comes down to difference between a phone and a computer.
Historically, computers have the option of running a new version of operating system, but phones don't get that choice. For computers, a big deal is made of the operating system whereas historically the OS has simply been the engine to enable the phone to work. More specifically, with a computer it is anticipated you may wish to run the latest apps, and historically, prior to the iPhone, most people didn't even run apps on their phone. If apps were present, they were an accessory, not central to using the phone in its primary role.
Now all this has changed, but Nokia doesn't yet have the mindset for the change. Until they do have that mindset, new Nokia phones will only ever have Nokia support to run the OS originally offered.
Traditional computer buyers, for example buying a Macbook, would be horrified if Apple two months later introduced lepoards, tigers, lions or other big cats and did not offer this OS to existing customers with a new enough computer for it to function, but phone buyers have not had this offering since application software compatibility was historically not an issue.
Now Nokia has the N900 'mobile computer'. People think of it like a computer and expect computer treatment with respect to software upgrades. However Nokia hasn't made that leap yet!
Until this approach changes at Nokia, there will be disappointment in the mobile computer customer ranks. Sure their will be community versions not supported by Nokia, but Apple with their computer background will encourage moving to the latest software to enable the largest base for application developers, and Nokia will treat devices as traditional phones and developers will not be as enthusiastic.
Yes, it does sound like there are other reasons why the N900 will be an orphan, but the mindset still needs an update if Nokia is to avoid angering the faithful.
Phones are not obsolete when a new OS is released if they cannot be upgraded are they? That only applies to computers surely?
For background, here is a link to a video on unwired that where some Nokia views are expressed:
here
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