Nokia N900 – Part tablet – part cell phone

Nokia’s new N900 smartphone is more than it seems. Not only is it a very modern, competent handset – but it also allows you to look to the not-so-distant future to predict what’s next.

Unlike previous attempts at creating an iPhone killer – the world’s leading cell phone manufacturer borrowed heavily from their terrific mini-tablet computers – then added some usual and unusual cellular phone features – and begat this new device.

The biggest improvement in the Nokia smartphone design is the software – it runs on Nokia’s next-generation, open source operating system called Maemo 5 Linux – a big step forward from the n97’s and all previous Nokia phones which used the tried-and-true Symbian OS.

The N900 has a great-looking 3.5-inch (diagonal) touchscreen. It’s the first Nokia to run on a Texas Instrument’s OMAP 3 processor. The device also supports Adobe Flash (something I’d like to see on every new smartphone.

Physically, the N900 has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard – which makes the handset thick but lightweight. It comes with 32GB of built-in memory, a microSD memory card slot, Wi-fi, Bluetooth, microUSB (charging/connecting) port, TV out jack (for PAL and NTSC connections to larger screens), GPS, their own Ovi Maps, Microsoft Outlook mail support, built-in stereo speakers (which sound great) and an auto-focus, 5 megapixel camera with Zeiss lens and dual flash.

The N900 is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE device which works on most of the overseas 2.5 and 3G frequencies. Here in the United States it also works on T-Mobile’s 3G network – unusual because most GSM phones also include the 3G band that AT&T uses here).

So, even though the phone hasn’t been announced by any US carrier – T Mobile is obviously the most likely contender.

Nokia has their own application store too called the Ovi Store – where Nokia fans can downloads apps and other goodies. So far the number of available downloads is small compared to Apple’s App Store or Google’s Android Market – but the numbers are growing worldwide.

I found that the N900 takes a bit of set-up to get it just the way you want it. Almost everything on the N900 is user configurable. There are five user-adjustable home screens to add program icons and shortcuts of your choice anywhere you want them.

I especially like the way those screens slide continuously – not stopping in one direction or the other. Not sure why other manufacturers don’t do the same thing.

The N900 ‘s cell phone audio was clear – video superb. Actually, streaming video playback was among the best I’ve seen to date. The audio portion of streaming videos was loud and clear. Connections were fast and solid – video quality was top-rate. Nokia handset fans are going to love it.

And, unlike previous Symbian-based smartphones, the N900 will connect to your selected Wi-fi network when it comes into range. Older designs made you manually connect when and if you needed to do so.

A fully charged battery was good for a day of normal use.

So far the only way to buy a N900 is directly from Nokia online. An unlocked N900 sells for $569 on Nokia’s Website. I’ve also seen it for less than $500 on other sites. When and if a carrier like T-Mobile begins selling it – expect the selling to become a lot more competitive with iPhones, Palm and Android models.

The N900 shows the direction that future Nokia smartphones will take. With the improvements that Nokia has hinted with the next version of their Maemo operating system (version 6) phones like the N900 should be competitive with all other comers.