News & Information for Technology Purchasers
NewsFactor Network Sites:   NewsFactor.com Security CRM Business Sci-Tech Newsletters XML/RSS Feed  
   
Home Enterprise I.T. Hardware Software Communications More Topics...
Tech Trends
Average Rating:
Rate this article:  
Linux-Based Nokia N900 Includes PC Features Linux-Based Nokia N900 Includes PC Features
By Mark Long
August 27, 2009 12:04PM

    Bookmark and Share
Nokia will use the Linux-based Maemo 5 operating system as it brings computing power to the Nokia N900. While Nokia will continue to use the Symbian OS, the Nokia N900 will get the OS the company developed for Web tablets. Like a PC, N900 users will be able to browse the Internet and run multiple applications. Ovi Maps will be preinstalled.
 

Advertisement

Nokia took the wraps off its next-generation N900 smartphone on Thursday. Though the majority of the company's mobile handsets are based on the Symbian platform, the Nokia N900 will use Maemo 5 -- the latest version of the Linux-based operating system that the company initially developed for its mobile Web tablets.

Just as Nokia continues to expand and diversify its mobile-device portfolio, so it is deploying multiple platforms to serve different purposes and address different markets, noted IDC Senior Research Analyst Jonathan Arber.

"While we have seen continued growth in Symbian as a smartphone platform, Maemo enables Nokia to deliver new mobile-computing experiences based on open-source technology that has strong ties with desktop platforms," Arber said.

A Multitasking Phone

Equipped with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a 3.5-inch, 800x480-pixel touchscreen, the new Nokia N900 handset has been designed to enable users to browse the Internet just like on a regular notebook or desktop PC. The Maemo 5 software also empowers users to open and run multiple applications simultaneously, the company said.

"The Nokia N900 shows where we are going with Maemo, and we'll continue to work with the community to push the software forward," said Nokia Executive Vice President Anssi Vanjoki. "What we have with Maemo is something that is fusing the power of the computer, the Internet, and the mobile phone, and it is great to see that it is evolving in exciting ways."

Under the hood, the Nokia N900 sports a 600-MHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios, an Assisted GPS receiver, and OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics acceleration. Also on tap is a five-megapixel camera featuring Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash.

Nokia's new quad-band GSM phone, which features GPRS and EDGE enhancements, sports up to 1GB of application memory as well as 32GB of data Relevant Products/Services storage Relevant Products/Services for retaining up to 40 hours of DVD-quality video or 7,000 music tracks. The device's storage capacity can be further expanded to a maximum of 48GB with a 16GB microSD memory card.

Turn-By-Turn Navigation

The Nokia N900 ships with a mobile browser powered by technology from Firefox developer Mozilla. The device also offers full support Relevant Products/Services for Adobe's Flash 9.4 software for displaying online videos and interactive applications.

According to Nokia, all content running on the Nokia N900 is constantly available through the device's dashboard. What's more, the panoramic home screen can be personalized through the user's addition of favorite shortcuts, widgets and other optional apps, such as a version of Skype currently being developed for the new handset.

Slated to ship with Ovi Maps preinstalled, the Nokia N900 will be able to provide users with the quickest available route for navigating to intended destinations. Moreover, the Nokia Messaging service aboard the phone is capable of mobilizing up to 10 personal e-mail accounts as well as enabling text messages or IM exchanges -- and with multiple text conversations running simultaneously in separate windows.

The Nokia N900 is scheduled to become available "in select markets" starting in October with a retail price of 500 euros (US$719.22), excluding sales tax and wireless carrier subsidies. However, the United States does not appear to be part of the company's initial product-introduction plans.

Pegged at a maximum of 25 frames per second, the MPEG-4 video recording spec for the N900 suggests a focus on sales in Europe and elsewhere overseas rather than the U.S. -- where 30 fps is the norm. Nokia didn't immediately return a request for further information.
 

Advertisement


Advertisement


 Tech Trends
1.   New Pogoplug 'Cloud' Gets Social
2.   Salesforce Makes Business Social
3.   Cisco, Logitech Target Mainstream
4.   Could This Be the Season for Web TV?
5.   AMD Powers Top Cray Supercomputer


advertisement
Frugal Twitter-Only Device OfferedFrugal Twitter-Only Device Offered
TwitterPeek doesn't need a data plan.
Average Rating:
Social-Networking Security a ConcernSocial-Networking Security a Concern
Facebook hijacking shows dangers.
Average Rating:
Cisco, EMC Team on Private CloudsCisco, EMC Team on Private Clouds
Partner for new data-center approach.
Average Rating:


advertisement
Product Information and Resources for Technology You Can Use To Boost Your Business

Enterprise Hardware

  Go Green with IBM Blade Center
  

Network Security Spotlight
House Lawmakers Push Ban on Peer-to-Peer Software
Stung by an embarrassing electronic leak revealing ethics investigations into dozens of lawmakers, Congress moved to prohibit federal employees from using the file-sharing software blamed for the disclosure.
 
GAO: Los Alamos Computer Security Has Weaknesses
Security weaknesses uncovered in Los Alamos National Laboratory's computer network increase the risk of a classified-information breach, says the Government Accountability Office.
 
Computer Security Firm Fortinet Plans IPO This Week
Fortinet plans to go public in an initial public offering, giving investors a chance to tap a network security provider with sales that are expected to grow. The IPO could be valued at $137.5 million or more.
 

Enterprise Hardware Spotlight
Flat Shipments Hurt Dell Despite Increased Earnings
Dell's earnings are up and expectations are solid, but the company's stock still took a hit after analysts signaled the company isn't playing a key role in the PC market recovery.
 
New Pogoplug 'Personal Cloud' Does Social Networking
Cloud Engines has released its newest version of the Pogoplug, a small "multimedia sharing device" that connects hard drives to the Internet and allows a user to access the files remotely.
 
Apple Tablet Rumored Delayed as Publisher Gears Up
There have been so many rumors of an Apple tablet that it has taken on legendary status. But now the legend is being revised with reports of a delay and that a major publisher is getting ready.
 

Enterprise Technology Spotlight
Flat Shipments Hurt Dell Despite Increased Earnings
Dell's earnings are up and expectations are solid, but the company's stock still took a hit after analysts signaled the company isn't playing a key role in the PC market recovery.
 
Smartphones: A Bigger Target for Security Threats
Smartphones are increasingly prevalent and adept at handling more tasks, including trading stocks, paying bills, and buying stuff online. That makes them attractive to thieves and hackers.
 
FBI Says Hackers Targeting Law Firms, PR Companies
Hackers are targeting law firms and public relations companies with a sophisticated e-mail scheme that breaks into their computer networks to steal sensitive data, often linked to large corporate clients.
 

Navigation
NewsFactor Network
Home/Top News | Enterprise I.T. | Hardware | Software | Communications | Network Security | Wireless Tech | Linux/Open Source
Apple/Macintosh | Microsoft/Windows | World Wide Web | Data Storage | E-Commerce | Personal Tech | Tech Trends | Press Releases
NewsFactor Network Enterprise I.T. Sites
NewsFactor Technology News | Enterprise Security Today | CRM Daily

NewsFactor Business and Innovation Sites
Sci-Tech Today | NewsFactor Business Report

NewsFactor Services
FreeNewsFeed | Free Newsletters | Free Whitepapers | XML/RSS Feed

About NewsFactor Network | How To Contact Us | Article Reprints | Careers @ NewsFactor | Services for PR Pros | Top Tech Wire | How To Advertise

Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
© Copyright 2000-2009 NewsFactor Network. All rights reserved. Article rating technology by Blogowogo.