Nokia N900 - Users Thread

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euanandrews

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#54751 21-Dec-2009 16:02

This thread is for users of the Nokia N900

It is to discuss anything that enhances the Nokia N900, and to collate such information on this very first post, which will be regularly updated as new information of interest comes to light.

It is NOT for discussing anything to do with purchasing, shipping, or shipping delays...that is OT (off topic)...if you wish to know how to import one of these devices from a US residents only website, please refer to this thread for instructions.

Firmware:

3.2010.02-8 (PR 1.1.1)
2.2009.51-1 (PR 1.1)
1.2009.44-1
1.2009.42-11.002

Where to find Maemo 5 apps:
- Ovi Store, either via web or N900 app
- App Manager (program on the N900)
- Maemo Select
- Maemo.org
- Maemo Garage
- Manually via 3rd party websites

Highly recommended apps:
- 3G/2G Mode Selection Applet
- Hermes (dev)
- Qik
- FM radio (dev)
- eCoach
- Pidgen protocols plugin for Conversations and Contacts (dev)
- Pixelpipe Upload and Share
- Angry Birds
- Wormux
- Extra Decoders Support
- Firefox (much more stable now)
- Witter (dev)

Dev = In development, available for use and testing but with possible risks and side effects

How to enable/find more apps in the Maemo App Manager

By default the N900 comes supplied with only 2 Nokia repositories enabled, and the 'Maemo Extras' one disabled.

To enable 'Maemo Extras' All you have to do is go into App Manager and select the top menu bar, select Application Catalogues, select the Maemo Extras and untick the box marked Disabled. Refresh the catalogues and you’ll see loads of applications now, all the ones available via maemo.org.

If you’re brave enough you can also enable the 'Maemo Extras-Devel' repository, the is applications in development and are put her for you to test. Think of it as being an alpha tester.

To add the Maemo Extras-devel repository just goto App Manager, select the tope menu bar, select Application Catalogues and NEW.

Add the repository http://repository.maemo.org/extras-devel using the same info as below, hit save and then refresh the catalogue

Word of WARNING...apps found in the Devel repository are still unrefined and may break your device, or have side effects such as excessive battery consumption or crashing your device.

Bugs or ommisions:
- Can not manually set up groups and add contacts
- Can not video call
- Can not MMS
- Facebook widget extremly limited, just a rolling feed and links to main site
- Ovi Suite not compatiable, no Ovi services
- No syncing
- Playing video a hit and miss affair, will play some AVI files and not others, due to different bitrates
- No STK support (SIM Toolkit)

Customization tips and hacks:
Powatool (app for customizing the N900)
Custom Operator Name Applet (app)
Add 'Reboot' function to power button
N900 MODS - Share your MODS (Maemo.org thread) including:
- Added 'reboot' function to power button
- Modified LED colours and vibrations
- Extended Keyboard Shortcuts
- Swap Fn and Shift keys
- Hackd FM ransmitter with RDS
How to personalize your N900 (Maemo.org Wiki) - not fully populated yet
N900 Hardware Hacking (Maemo.org Wiki) - not fully populated yet
Themes
Remapping your keyboard
Device boot video
Creating custom folders and rearranging main menu icons/apps
How to put shortcuts to folders on the desktop
How to enable root access in the X-Terminal

Shortcuts:
- Long pressing the Menu/multitasing shortcut/icon will bring you back to your desktop
- Double tap ctrl for upper case (to stay on without needing to hold down)
- Double tap function key for numeric locks (to stay on without needing to hold down)
- Shortcuts and gestures (Maemo.org Wiki)
- ctrl +shift +p = screenshots

Commands:
Maemo Linux Commands

Flashing: (formating and reinstalling the OS)
Official instructions found here
Easy 1-2-3 guide found here

Before flashing, if you want to save heaps of time, it is highly recommended to use the default N900 'backup' app first, and to save the resulting backup folder and files onto your PC while you flash, then copy back afterwards and run the backup app again, restoring the backup.

Using the backup app will save huge amounts of time...it will save the following:
- List of apps, and redownload and install them
- Desktop layout, preferences, exactly as you had it
- Email and IM accounts
- Web favorites and RSS feeds
- Website logins and passwords
- System preferences
- Imports contacts
- Imports conversations, email, IM and SMS messages
- Calender, events and alarms

Sites of interest:
Maemo.org - The Maemo community hub
MeeGo - The MeeGo community hub (Maemo and Moblin have merged to create a new OS called MeeGo)
NokiAAddict - Recommended downloads
Mobile Users - Tips/instructions for looping the desktop wallpaper properly
Maemo N900 Wiki - Has everything about the N900

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67 posts

Master Geek

#284509 22-Dec-2009 00:12

Still having major issues with the Nokia CK 7W car kit and my N900.
So much so that I have disabled it while in the car and now have to pull over to take a call. Incoming calls don't pick up consistently with the car button and outgoing calls are very echo'd. Checking the other forums this is a common bug.

Loving the tablet features, web browsing and emails.

Tolerating the random phone functionality, things I did on my N95 seem to take much longer and more button presses. Need to spend more time with keyboard shortcuts, anyone got a good link for a synopsis of these?
Best app i've installed was drnoksnes thus far
Found a cheap shop in chch that sells adaptors that takes your old nokia chargers and puts the micro usb thing on the end(chinese guys at Riccarton Hoyts) this has breathed new life into my old car charger, also usb to micro usb cables if like me you can never have too many.

Despite all this, I love it.

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euanandrews

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#284573 22-Dec-2009 11:22

If you use social networking, the best app I would recommend is Hermes...

It fills in the gaps in your contacts' address book, using photos and birthdays etc found on your social networking sites like Facebook etc etc

kitretter

91 posts

Master Geek

#284628 22-Dec-2009 14:36

DarkVader: Still having major issues with the Nokia CK 7W car kit and my N900.
So much so that I have disabled it while in the car and now have to pull over to take a call. Incoming calls don't pick up consistently with the car button and outgoing calls are very echo'd. Checking the other forums this is a common bug.

Have you managed to try your N900 with any other handsfree kit? I'm about to shell out on the solar powered LG HFB-500 so I hope they'll pair together ok.

DarkVader: Found a cheap shop in chch that sells adaptors that takes your old nokia chargers and puts the micro usb thing on the end

Did your package not include one of these adaptors? I was under the impression all the US Handsets came with this in the box.

euanandrews: If you use social networking, the best app I would recommend is Hermes...

It fills in the gaps in your contacts' address book, using photos and birthdays etc found on your social networking sites like Facebook etc etc

A few of my friends use that App and have had nothing but good things to say about it. Interested to see what sort of data usage it uses for updating contact photos though. Is it possible to set it so it only updates photos when you want it to?

DarkVader

67 posts

Master Geek

#284784 23-Dec-2009 10:10

My Nokia, came to me unboxed via a friend, i guess if it was in the original box(skinny to micro usb adaptor) maybe my friend didn't see it. These are worth 15$ from the friendly chinese vendors so I have bought 3 of them and now have 4 micro usb chargers. Work, home,car, travel suitcase.

Believe me, as a newbie and running lots of stuff I shouldn't this phone bathes in power. Lasting about a day. Need power chargers everywhere or take one with you at all times. The US charger that comes with it can be bent to fit NZ sockets as is dual voltage.

The bluetooth issue seems to be common, though today i'll try pairing it with the wife's Q7 bluetooth. Will have to unpair her iphone from it which won't make her happy.

nakedmolerat

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#285093 25-Dec-2009 02:09

DarkVader: My Nokia, came to me unboxed via a friend, i guess if it was in the original box(skinny to micro usb adaptor) maybe my friend didn't see it. These are worth 15$ from the friendly chinese vendors so I have bought 3 of them and now have 4 micro usb chargers. Work, home,car, travel suitcase.

Believe me, as a newbie and running lots of stuff I shouldn't this phone bathes in power. Lasting about a day. Need power chargers everywhere or take one with you at all times. The US charger that comes with it can be bent to fit NZ sockets as is dual voltage.

The bluetooth issue seems to be common, though today i'll try pairing it with the wife's Q7 bluetooth. Will have to unpair her iphone from it which won't make her happy.

i bought one of those cheap chinese usb adaptors before... i think the power/voltage was not regulated properly with this cheap usb cable, slowly the unregulated voltage fried my sony ericsson. be careful with your new phone.

cokeman2

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#285387 27-Dec-2009 10:46

i am keen to get one of these toys , i ve got a nokia 5800 at the moment

i want to know is the music quality on external speakers good as the 5800 ? and how about battery life compare to 5800 which in my opinion is impressive ?

thanks

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GEONXT

55 posts

Master Geek

#285457 27-Dec-2009 16:51

Ok so mine should be here Tuesday fingers crossed.

I have a question is any one running this one Xt I know its not ideal but I have a contract for another 12 months and don't want to suffer cancellation fees to move to Vodafone, can anyone comment on there experience on XT or Voda speeds pluses, minuses of ether network.

I have considered running on pre pay for a while to see what its like any one running this on pre pay?

Cheers in advance.

NZtechfreak

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#285463 27-Dec-2009 17:29

cokeman2:
i want to know is the music quality on external speakers good as the 5800 ?

No, it isn't. There still isn't a handset that can match the 5800's speakers, so you'll be disappointed in that regard no matter which handset you change to. For my money the external ones on the N900 are better than some of Nokia's other recent outings (N97), but still worse than the 5800, and worse than some of their older offerings like the N95.

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DarkVader

67 posts

Master Geek

#285547 28-Dec-2009 10:02

on holiday up north without the laptop and just the N900 (and family and kitesurfing gear). It,s performing well especially web and email. Good news re bluetooth however as it paired flawlessly with the built audi bluetooth and mmi system, not sure why it doesn,t like the noikia ck 7w car kit.still a bit sluggish with connecting and disconnecting phone calls.
re the adaptors for taking the old fat and skinny nokia chargers and making them micro usb ( CA 146c) these are in some boxes but it sounds like alot of the us boxes don,t have them.The local ones i bought have nokia logo,s but are made in china, the other "official" accessories in my box were made in thailand.

euanandrews

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#286068 30-Dec-2009 13:53

Well...I have had the N900 for about 1 whole days now, and I love it.

What has amazed me the most is the power of the phone/contacts book and customizable it is.

I am still experementing, going deep into the settings but I know I will have to fine tune the settings and the apps I use as currntly I am chewing through the battery...

My extremely poor batery life could be partially due to the fact I am installing and running apps still in development, and ineffecient use of battery life is a known downside of new apps...these apps are not even at 'beta' stage.

It appears playing movis is also a hit and miss affair (as reported) but I will test more movies with different bitrates to see what works and does not work conclusively.

Syncing is a no go...which is a pain for initial setup...but at Nokia PC Suite works (partially) which allows me to use the mobile as a modem for my HTPC.

kitretter

91 posts

Master Geek

#286084 30-Dec-2009 15:30

did yours get pinged by customs Euan? Just curious because mine left my LA Shipito Address on the 25th and there's still no update on it's tracking status.

euanandrews

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#286099 30-Dec-2009 16:47

A discussion I am trying to avoid in this thread...please read and post in the 'how to purchase from US residents only websites' thread...
But to quickly answer your question, no I did not get charged tax, but thats becuase I declared the item for $200 US...below the $500 NZ tax threshold.
Back on topic now.

GEONXT

55 posts

Master Geek

#286103 30-Dec-2009 17:10

GEONXT: Ok so mine should be here Tuesday fingers crossed.

I have a question is any one running this one Xt I know its not ideal but I have a contract for another 12 months and don't want to suffer cancellation fees to move to Vodafone, can anyone comment on there experience on XT or Voda speeds pluses, minuses of ether network.

I have considered running on pre pay for a while to see what its like any one running this on pre pay?

Cheers in advance.

Still waiting for mine,

Euan could you coment on any of the above quistions I have asked?

Cheers.

scottjpalmer

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#286106 30-Dec-2009 17:17

GEONXT: Euan could you coment on any of the above quistions I have asked?

Cheers.

Not much good for XT, it doesn't have 850MHz UMTS so you will be limited to the main cities for network coverage on XT's 2100MHz cells and I am unsure how comprehensive this coverage is.

euanandrews

1528 posts

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#286127 30-Dec-2009 18:09

GEONXT:
GEONXT: Ok so mine should be here Tuesday fingers crossed.

I have a question is any one running this one Xt I know its not ideal but I have a contract for another 12 months and don't want to suffer cancellation fees to move to Vodafone, can anyone comment on there experience on XT or Voda speeds pluses, minuses of ether network.

I have considered running on pre pay for a while to see what its like any one running this on pre pay?

Cheers in advance.

Still waiting for mine,

Euan could you coment on any of the above quistions I have asked?

Cheers.

Exactly what Scott said I'm afraid.

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