Also you have complete freedom with the phone as to how you want it to look and how you want it to function. Which in this Apple I phone era is a breath of fresh air, nothing is locked down which is quite a rarity these days, you will struggle to find a handset that is not throttled by the network company, holding back certain features and settings.

Another thing I’ve heard people say is that it is “big and ugly” which I do not understand. In my opinion it is quite a refreshing and unabashed design, not wanting to look too flash but at the same time creating a somewhat mysterious and intriguing dark, monolithic look which I find quite appropriate for what could be the big device for 2010.

One very impressive feature is the multitasking. Half way through a note when another phone call or SMS comes through; no problem. The OS opens your apps full screen, but moving between them is easy with the screen switcher, accessible either through Ctrl-Backspace or the top left button. Delays opening programs are next to nonexistent, and the graphics are smooth.
The resistive screen is apparently “old fashioned”; however, it both requires and tolerates a firm push well, and doesn’t need warm fingers. I like it; capacitive screens are often a bit prima donna; this one doesn’t have the mouse jumping all over whenever I look at it.
It’s connectivity is excellent, as mentioned. Particularly nice is the ease of setting up internet via wifi; the screen has a denser pixel rate than the iPhone and images and websites are sharp, so browsing is easy. Skype is installable; I haven’t used it but there’s apparently no difference in quality between skype and the phone. Bluetooth is a cinch.
The contacts and calendar integration/ operation is OK, but some bits are evidently still a work in progress. Copying appointments doesn’t work at present, for instance. Notes; the installed version is minimal, but there’s an app called Conboy available from the Maemo store that is a port of the Linux app, and it’s got all the features of a full- fledged note app.

Ovi maps is installed (Ovi being the Nokia app store); the maps are fine, and it does the basics OK.

http://temporaryland.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/openoffice-org-and-the-gimp-on-the-n900/

I have the N900 for six weeks now, and I am in two minds about the thingy. It runs Linux and gives you almost total control for development. That is good. You even can open the N900 from your PC and have a terminal window or even the Maemo desktop on your computer. That also is good.

However: the PDA applications that come with it: Calendar, Contacts and memos are abysmal both in functionality and in interface design. I feel that a reviewer should have noted that and commented on it, in the interest of your readers. And if such flaws are not reported, how can you expect the manufacturer to take note and improve it?

I hope this does not sound too harsh, but I feel it should be mentioned.

Please continue…