Nokia N900 fine-tuned with firmware updates during one-week delay

By Flora Graham on 26 November 2009, 11:55am

Where in the world is the Nokia N900? We've been drooling over this Maemo-powered smart phone for what feels like forever, but it looks like we'll have to wait a week longer.

We've had our hands on the N900 to preview the Firefox Mobile Web browser, and we've gawked at Nokia's slightly frightening N900 promo video. But we want to see the Linux-based beast on shelves and in pockets, and though it was due to go on sale this week in the UK, it's not likely to be available until next week. A call to Nokia's own online shop, where the N900 is available for pre-order for £499 SIM-free, reveals even it doesn't know what day next week pre-orders are likely to be fulfilled.

Nokia has been quoted saying the delay is because of huge demand, and it's no doubt that Nokia fans are looking to the N900 to be everything the disappointing Nokia N97 was not. Both are powerful smart phones -- the N900 sports an 89mm (3.5-inch) screen, slide-out Qwerty keyboard, Wi-Fi, HSDPA and 32GB of built-in storage. And the fresh, touchscreen-oriented Maemo user interface promises to beat the tired-looking Symbian attempt on the N97.

But there's more to the delay than queues of Nokia-lovers swamping the system. Nokia plans to put Maemo on all of its N-series smart phones by 2012, so it has to get it right.

We've seen evidence that firmware updates for the N900 are still coming fast and furious, as recently as today on our review sample. It's not unusual for smart phones to be pushed out the door and patched up later, but with the weight of expectations for the N900 -- as the saviour of Nokia's reputation for smart phones, and the spearhead for a new generation of Maemo phones -- Nokia isn't taking any chances.

Nokia has already handed out 300 pre-production N900s to developers at the Maemo Summit in October, to get feedback on the user interface and encourage programmers to get cracking on apps for the phone.

We'll update this story when Nokia finally lets us know the exact date you can expect to see the N900 land on your doorstep. In the meantime, stay tuned for our full preview of the N900.

Comments 7

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anonymous 26 November, 2009 12:09

My preorder from Nokia online shop left the warehouse yesterday and is currently in transit with a dleivery date of 27th i.e tomorrow ! whoopee

weetanhops 26 November, 2009 13:12

It's not a phone, it just happens to make phone calls.

anonymous 26 November, 2009 13:24

I don't see the point of delaying the handset AGAIN for update firmware, within a week of the handset being out another Firmware update will be available and there will be a constant barrage of updates in the next 6 months to a year. Anyone buying this device knows everything about it by now, and I'm sure would understand a couple of niggling things. Well, letâ€™s put it this way, hats more annoying: not having the handset at all or having to deal with a few bugs for a week?

anonymous 26 November, 2009 15:18

Its all ready to go now! I have in MY HAND RIGHT NOW a NOKIA N900!!!

The delay is not due to firmware, but the demand for this phone now!

ONLY pre-orders are being shipped now!

anonymous 26 November, 2009 16:28

Goodness me!! I have been harrassing the Nokia Flagship store this past 2 weeks. I was expecting a call today to say I can collect my n900 tomorrow, but havent received a call as yet confirming. Just spoke to them, and the delivery is there, but saying its likely that they will make it available to people on contract on monday, and in-store purchase on the 4th Dec.
So frustrating!

anonymous 26 November, 2009 19:04

This is intriguing but a little vague:

"we've seen evidence that firmware updates for the N900 are still coming fast and furious, as recently as today on our review sample"

What does this mean, exactly?

Do you mean that your review sample arrived with firmware with a later version than the version on the already-shipped retail version (2009-42.11)? (oh, you didn't mention it in your article but there are plenty of mostly pre-ordered N900s already in the hands of consumers out in the wild!)

Or were you asked to upgrade it?

Or...? It's really not clear what to make of "as recently as today on our review sample".

Certainly you could understand why Nokia might want to pause and take stock, even though there are phones currently delivered and in transit to customers (mine is currently en-route and resting in Barking!) when you read about what seem to be some quite serious teething troubles over at talk.maemo.org.

If you could provide more specific information it would be of very great interest to those with the device already or shortly to be in their hands!