Nokia to tackle Apple, HTC with Linux

Now this could be awesome. Really awesome.

Quote from Slashdot:
It is now clear why Nokia has been so slow with S60 updates: the upcoming N900 just left everything else in the dust. Unlike Google's Linux platform, Nokia is not intentionally breaking compatibility with real distros, choosing instead to bring you the unmatchable power of GNU/Linux on your phone. This is the most awesome device I have ever seen: MAP3 CPU/GPU, 3,5" 800x480 touchscreen, keyboard, Wi-Fi, HSPA, GPS; 5-MP camera, CZ lens, 32 GB storage, SD slot; X11, VT100 terminal emulator, APT package manager. Estimated price without credit: $780 (N.5800: $390, iPhone 3GS: $750). Developers should note that even though the current desktop is still GTK+, Qt will be standard across all Nokia platforms in the near future (less powerful phones will use Qt on the Symbian kernel). Users can download flashing software from Nokia, and patches can be submitted at the Maemo site.

Why Nokia would not invest in Android and now to go down a different road is a little beyond me, it is open source and if they want x functionality for their phones it only needs to be incorporated into their builds. But each to their own.

But having the APT package manager and going down the Debian mentality where everything is open would be very handy especially for updating core functionality. You would only need to update the packages that need updating not the whole rom / install = less data downloaded.

The n900 will be a nice phone / personal computer none the less. But at $780 USD it will be pricy and not taken up by much.

whats with the lack of source links lately?

He is quoting from slashdot.org

you can still link to stories on slashdot ;P

Slashdot Apple Story | Apple, Google, AT&T Respond To the FCC Over Google Voice

Quote from Lothar;369514:
Why Nokia would not invest in Android and now to go down a different road is a little beyond me

Maemo has been around since 2005 and has been in active development ever since, I would suspect this is one reason Nokia have not gone the Android way.

I have had the N800 since mid 2007 and Ive always liked it, pretty handy to have a web browser thats better than the mobile phone version in your pocket. Like previous models of the Nokia internet tablet I'd be surprised if it makes it mainstream. It has always been niche market that have previously been interested in them.

maemo.org - maemo.org: Home of the Maemo community <=== Current info on all the Maemo development and apps

finally announced with some details.

http://maemo.nokia.com/features/

Quote from rec;369507:
Now this could be awesome. Really awesome.

Or! -- and bear with me here -- it could be a total abject failure like every single other linux-based smart phone ever.

Hands on: Nokia N900 review | News | TechRadar UK

Looks great but a bit chunky. I'm getting excited about the range of possibilities that I'll have to choose from for my next phone.

Well, from all the official announcements Australia and Asia Pacific isn't mentioned.

Like the rest of em no doubt the N900 can be scratched off the list :p

So did anyone other than i pick one of these up?

Yeah I've had mine since Nov 2009