Let's be skeptical!
When we announced the 770 last May, many people were skeptical. I bet many people still are ;-) However, many others --not just us -- have been thinking about something similar: How to utilize rich internet from a device simpler, lighter, and cheaper than a PC. Let's take a few examples:
By the way, I promised to Roger that I'll look into eBooks. I installed the readers from maemo and downloaded books. I was skeptical. But I'm starting to see the light. It is actually more convenient than I thought. I'm using FBReader (Misha, good work!).
I'm currently reading "Lives of Girls Who Became Famous" by Sarah Knowles Bolton. Why -- I've got two girls and they are already famous in my books!
- Origami is an interesting new development. Local papers in Seattle compare it with 770.
- PSP is a gaming device. That's what I understood. However, I do not see people playing games with it. Instead, they watch movies, and after the software upgrade they can now surf the web. Yes, they play games, too, but I bet they use it for other purposes more than originally expected...
- We studied Samsung Nexio while designing 770. I wonder what happened to the Nexio.
- Old and new development can bee seen, e.g. at linuxdevices. Many of those never came true, though.
By the way, I promised to Roger that I'll look into eBooks. I installed the readers from maemo and downloaded books. I was skeptical. But I'm starting to see the light. It is actually more convenient than I thought. I'm using FBReader (Misha, good work!).
I'm currently reading "Lives of Girls Who Became Famous" by Sarah Knowles Bolton. Why -- I've got two girls and they are already famous in my books!
posted by Ari Jaaksi at 10:57 AM
29 Comments:
You've got a great chance at Nokia now. Personally I believe there is only one market available for you all to capture but there's a number of different ways of approaching it. I've just posted some comments on the topic at my carrypad journal.
Good luck!
Though the intended users, school children in the developing world, are a very different market from exist 770 users I believe the MIT One Laptop Per Child http://laptop.media.mit.edu/ will become the world's most common computing platform. As it uses wifi, flash memory and runs Linux, it will surely set the direction for software development for devices like the 770 over the next 5 years or more.
Well that's why I own an 770!
I'm just getting into "plucking" websites daily and reading them offline as e-books in FBReader.
Much easier to read than as web-pages.
You should try that too.
Roger
The major issue of ebooks on the 770 is that there are no commercial ebooks. There are a few companies who sell commercial ebooks. Adobe, Microsoft, Ereader.com, Mobipocket.com are popular. Mobipocket seems the most interested in making a client for the 770.
I am mostly interested in Star Trek and personal finance books.
www.770fan.com
In January I wondered about the similarities between the 770 and the Nexio on the Internet Tablet Talk forums :
http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1175
It's good to have confirmation - but it makes me regret even more that you didn't choose to copy the keyboard too :-)
To me it seems we are at the edge of a new computing revolution. It is a funny constellation with the 3 industry giants - Apple, Microsoft and Nokia - watching each other's next move in making the smart internet device a reality. Nokia already played the first card while Microsoft is puffing steam but not showing its Origami hand and Apple only displaying a face from which nothing about an upcoming netpad can be read. Like a stand-off of samurai warriors - the one to charge into the market headlong will be struck down as the other learns of his tactic...
This year's hit concept is convergence: users wanting to do more with fewer devices. Just witness the recent popularity of communicators and the despair of some PDA vendors. The development of the PSP is a case in point - a distinct and interesting vector of convergence.
It will be the traditional technology arms-race in which technology vendors will be capable to deliver to varying degrees: each will try to offer the consumer more functions and performance with a lower price tag. The strongest player who finds the sweet spot of the market will emerge as a winner, but why not take a similar path with mobile phones - why not add one more software function, if the hardware already is capable of the task?
For example in the case of the internet pad like 770 there are certain killer applications, like PDA functionality and media playback. However the inclusion of phone functionality could be decisive as then one could eliminate another gadget completely. I can see at least 3 approaches in achieving this goal.
Indeed Nokia currently holds the pole position so it might be wise to charge aggressively when the time is right. I am also with Chippy in the view that there is definitely demand for a mid-end smart internet device. In the carrypad vision this would have a keyboard and a 7" screen, but I seem to be more drawn to a truely mobile device that can do voice, media and quick messaging - something between the 770, the Vaio U-series and the Archos media players.
Products of technology do not live in a vacuum, but in addition to other players on the market they very much depend of people's experiences, impressions and judgements, which are entrenched in our culture and the structures of society... Something which I think could be perfectly reflected in our blogs.
In emphasizing internet use cases make sure you are not hampering the ability of developers to extend the device. Do not tell developers/users what the device isn't (i.e. it is not a video player). Instead provide a solid foundation for developers to make the device fit their needs/wants. When a developer asks you for a trivial modification to the platform or suggests that the device would be more flexible if XYZ, don't tell them that the device is not meant for that, don't present obstacles for developers, facilitate them. (Of course, some requests are too ambitious, too difficult or too far-fetched). Developers are crucial to the 770.
Make an environment conducive for development. Why isn't there a central repository for 770 packages hosted by Nokia? Having a wealth of packages scattered all over the place will only result in them being lost over time as links and servers go dead. Not good.
Be careful, do not dismiss the UMPC platform. They are going to eat you alive if you do not try to be competitive. You don't have the retailer penetration that these devices will have, you don't have the familiarity of Windows that the masses are accustomed to. Your strength lies in the developer community, the ability to leverage existing Gnome/Linux apps and possibly smaller form factor and maybe price.
Also, does Nokia truly embrace open source? I have a feeling that when someone tries to port Maemo to UMPC (or other competitive platform) Nokia will oppose it fiercely or not accomodate other platforms. This is not a good idea, even from a business perspective. One of the greatest strengths of the 770 is the developer community. Porting to more devices = more interest in the maemo plaform = more developers. By attracting developers you improve your product and increase sales (even if other products increase their sales at the same time).
Guys, I do read these comments but I'm too shy to debate here. This time, I'm really enjoying reading the comments. They are actually much much more interesting than my original post!
Chippy: Thanks!
Michael: Yeah, good luck for them! An abitious goal with a golden heart!
Roger. OK, I'l give it a try!
Al: I so much agree with you! To me this is the biggest problem with eBooks.
Fpp: We also left out less than 2 hours operating time, over $1000 price tag, complicated connectivity & UI. For some, this may help: http://770.fs-security.com/keyboards.html
Varis: I red your post many times. Good thoughts! I totally agree -- things are happening now!
Anonymous: I bet you've got a name, too. You actually go pretty far guessing what we think ;-) Most of the limitations in the current softare are because we just started the journey! We needed to get the product out, and some things were not ready on time! But the journey continues ....
This is pretty far from the original post, but interesting, so...
Anonymous wrote:
Also, does Nokia truly embrace open source? I have a feeling that when someone tries to port Maemo to UMPC (or other competitive platform) Nokia will oppose it fiercely or not accomodate other platforms.
I don't believe that, it would be really stupid -- like you said, the 770 lives or dies with 3rd party developers. Multiple maemo-compatible devices would mean more maemo-devices on the streets, which in the end means more developers... A smaller piece of the pie is attractive when the pie gets a lot bigger at the same time.
I do agree that "being open" hasn't succeeded as well as it could have, from a hobby developer POV at least (I could be wrong about details, but this is what it looks like):
* Bugzilla doesn't feel like a real issue handling system, more like a customer feedback channel -- the lack of Nokia employee involvement implies that Nokia has an internal 'real' system
* there's no Bonsai-like system or a maemo-commits email-list that people could follow to see what's being worked on.
* There is LXR, but the searches don't work...
* the "more closed" development that naturally follows from most developers working at Nokia is not, IMO, balanced by better documentation.
The UMPC hype may play into Nokia's pocket as well as some people are/will be rather dismayed by the actual specs. Nokia 770 could be the lifesaver for them, and would be easier to raise into attention right now. (Or say, April-June if the first UMPCs start shipping then.)
The openness may yet be the greatest strenght of the Maemo platform, and I agree, it would be good for other Linux handheld vendors to join forces in developing the platform. But if a smaller manufacturer looks at Maemo and sees that Nokia is behind it, they may think that Nokia will ever have a better control over the platform than they will, and be a bit intimidated. (I wonder if this has happened with Symbian, which is used by a few other vendors but the vast majority of Symbian devices still come from Nokia.)
In addition they'd have to differentiate their device somehow from what Nokia does, they have to convince the consumer that their device is at least in some respects a better choice than the corresponding Nokia products.
I think openness also means new challenges to the Nokia product/software process. One needs to open more interfaces for external partners. Jussi points out a few issues in this area. To my knowledge there is a corresponding separate, internal Bugzilla at Nokia, as not all issues could be disclosed to the public. There would be a need for synchronization between the two Bugzillas, or perhaps a technically oriented blog by a Nokia developer could track current issues that are being worked on (internally and in the community in general)? That of course introduces overhead but eventually it may be necessary to rethink how companies like Nokia develop their products.
One more note on convergence: aggressive all-out convergence may not be the best approach. It may be more reasonable to first achieve merit in a focused area, then work on adding the next one to a decent level of functionality. Looks like Nokia is doing this with the 770. Different products can have different profiles. Consider the Sony-Ericsson Cybershot phones for example - to my understanding they are something which is supposed to be a good phone _and_ a good camera, and the other functions are more like minor add-ons.
I find that my 770 works very well for me as an RSS/News/Web reader. I am a fan (and user) of eBook readers - Rocket, Genstar, Mobipocket on many platforms and FBReader on my 770. It serves that task very well - I will have to investigate Plucker for off-line Web Site reading.
This device could be my eBook reader if it had access to commercial titles - and that means one of the existing readers out there today (as I understand it).
Would I switch to a UMPC (I develop Windows software for a living?) - I suspect not. The focused function of the 770 appeals to me - I don't believe I want a general-purpose device running XP to carry around. My phone (the 7710) meets my PIM needs - so the 770 is off the hook fot that!
Great device - and a good start in a new area.
My apologies: There is a maemo-commits mailing list, contrary to my whining.
https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-commits
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Sir: I read your blog with some interest. I am a gadget person without a programing background or the time to learn linux.
Getting software that ordinary folks can use is the key. Right now, you have world class hardware and software that is just too hard for me to work with and that doesn't always do what I need/want it to do (better audio support - play my iTunes songs, better video - play my wmv files, a citrix client, a word processor that works with MS Word, and pim functionality that will synch with MS exchange and/or outlook).
I realize that the 770 is a new device and that the lack of these application is not your fault, just keep in mind that getting software out there into the hands of users (the majority of which have MS software based desktops, laptops and netowrks) is the key to making this outstanding hardware a commercial success.
Thanks and please keep the applications coming!
Hello, I'm a programmer for intranet-software from germany. I'm wondering that I never seen (so far) the Nokia 770 in commercial software solutions. This tool is the ideal plattform for intranet extending development (Cheap and only the tools that I need)!
The only problem is, that i'm not shure how long this Produkt will exist (I could not sell it with my software and a year or two later I cannot get any further hardware).
So I hope the 770 will stay on the market, an wish you good luck !!
Okay, this has little to do with this entry :-), however I saw a link to your blog saying you're interested in nokia 770 comments? Is this still true? Cause I bought one last week and have a few questions about it I'd love to ask a developer (standby mode). If you're still answering questions please let me know! banner AT snowcloude DOT com.
Thanks!
Besides the nice feeling one has when reading about, seeing, playing with a new gadget, N770 makes me feel like it does have lots of strategic thinking put into it. And yes, it provokes some constructive scepticism.
So far the PDA/cellphone and Tablet PC/Webpad form factors have been most widespread. The 'in-between' sizes have been there (oldest non-rugged/industrial one that I know of is Casio FIVA) but none has had any extended lifespan.
So Nokia came in with just a couple or right decisions:
- price
- form factor (you may want to stretch it a little bit)
- open source from ground up (that will probably solve the lack of applications in the meantime)
and has the problems of
- performance (maybe the software on it is more resource hungry than it should be)
- battery life (improvements in power management?, alternative processors?, 'flash HDD' versions, but certainly a 3000 mAh optional power-brick+external charger)
- a little bit exotic development platform. (Don't ask how, but you have to make it work on Windows, including an emulator and support of some decent IDE)
N770 does not and will never make a good gaming machine.
- It should do good browsing (some stripped down version of Firefox),
- have all possible utility apps (PIMs, e-mail, VOIP, light-weight office apps + drawing-sketching - GIMP-like or 'SketchUp embedded' etc) and
- stress connectivity (I would add Irda and software for home electronics control and co-market the device to home control companies like X10 and others).
- Have an out of the box N770+Windows PC optimized Wireless Display implementation (forget Mira)
- Hopefully, the acquisition of Intellisync also brings in seemless integration (free availability on Maemo?) with all mobiles and desktops (Outlook and Thunderbird)
- N770 can benefit the most from the current Ajax fever. Set up and try a full set-up of and put some of those companies into Nokias shopping list or provide or co-provide with, say Google (wink-wink) some of the essential services like drivespace, mail etc
- Another area is in-car/GPS use and possible more serious relationship with the likes of TomTom.
- You may consider looking at options to increase movie watching performance (specialized chips) without too much increase in cost
Peripherals need more attention and I guess - from Nokia itself. Namely
- mobile keyboard input (buy/license Twiddler2 and make it finally Bluetooth, iFrog or the new IR virtual keyboards, Pepperpad type keyboard is worth considering, maybe as a plug-on) and
- a set of stands/docking stations/car mount kits. The 'stationary' part of mobility should be there without the hassle of building it yourself or hunting for exotic gear.
Yes, UMPC, handtops and downscaling TabletPC-s (Motion LS800) will be there for a while, but no-one beats the price and the Nokia brand. Hopefully it is a sufficient laundry-list to make N770 the coolest device on Earth.
hotjug
Too bad they seem to have messed up the keyboard on the Nexio. The traditional form of having the hardware on the keyboard side makes for a more balanced device.
Actually, I'd rather have a simple tablet instead of a lousy keyboard. So if you ever end up having a keyboard on the 770, don't mess it up. Either add one that can be used for fast typing or just don't add one at all.
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