Nokia's new phone, the N900, features a platform based on Linux that promises computer-like performance on a cell phone
Nokia's new phone, the N900, features a platform based on Linux that promises computer-like performance on a cell phone
When IT ADDA reviewed the N97 in August 2009, our reviewer said that "...the Symbian OS that this product runs is not exactly the hottest mobile OS in town." But if he gets his hands on the N900, then there is no way he can make this comment. This is because the N900 is powered by Maemo, a software platform developed by Nokia for their line of Internet Tablets.
While Maemo has been associated with the Nokia N810, this product is an internet tablet and not a phone. The N900, in fact, is the first phone from Nokia that features Maemo on a phone.
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Looks like a phone, behaves like a PC: The N900 is Nokia's first Linux phone and has features that the company hopes will help it get back market share that it lost to Google's Android and Apple's iPhone pic/nokia.com |
Advantage Nokia
If one will permit us to indulge in our imagination a little, then it could be argued that Nokia has learnt a lesson from Apple in reverse. Apple, primarily a PC company, has moved into high-end mobiles like the iPhone, and this might have made Nokia wonder why shouldn't we move from the phone to the PC domain?
We don't know for sure if they thought along these lines, but the inclusion of Maemo on the N900 brings PC capabilities to the phone. This is primarily because, according to Wikipedia, Maemo is based on Debian GNU/Linux and draws much of its GUI, frameworks, and libraries from the GNOME project.
Boosting Linux
This is also bound to give Linux a big boost. While this OS has traditionally been used on Web and mail servers, it has not gained much adoption. While an IDC press release in August 2009 says that worldwide revenue from Linux operating system software grew by 23.4 per cent from 2007 to 2008, the painful fact remains that Linux is still seen as a server OS and not a desktop one.
But by putting Linux on the N900, Nokia could help boost Linux adoption. True, the N900 is a high-end phone, but if Nokia decides to ease out Symbian (the company has denied this, as has been reported in yesterday's IT ADDA, but one day, who knows, Maemo may replace Symbian). If this happens, then Linux, like Nokia, could account for around 40 per cent of the mobile market.
What desktop?
Such a scenario could boost Linux tremendously. One of the major criticisms against Linux is that it is not user friendly for a desktop for lay users. But if Maemo takes off, one could ask when Linux is so popular on servers and handhelds, who really needs desktop domination?
Such a situation may not happen in reality, but it is nevertheless interesting to contemplate a future in which domination of the desktop may no longer really matter. It may be more important to have a hold on the Web and on devices connected to the Web and so, Microsoft, the king of the desktop, should start worrying about these things.
QUICK TAKE
>>Nokia's N900 features a Linux-based platform called Maemo
>>This gives the phone PC-like performance
>>If such phones take off, then Microsoft's domination may suffer
Tech specs>>Display: 3.5" touch screen
>>Resolution: 800 u00d7 480
>>Browsing: Maemo browser powered by Mozilla with Flash 9.4 support
>>Camera: 5MP (2584 u00d7 1938 resolution)
>>Processor: ARM Cortex-A8 600 MHz
>>Memory: Up to 1GB of app memory (256 MB RAM, 768 MB virtual memory)
>>Weight: 181g (approx)
>>Storage: 32 GB internal storage, with capacity to expand to 48 GB with an external microSD card
>>GPS: Integrated GPS, pre-loaded Ovi Maps application, automatic geotagging
Source: https://maemo.nokia.com/n900/specifications/
