Nokia N900 Keeps It Real, No Network Customisation For Maemo Interface?
UPDATE: Nokia Conversations have tempered Rivas’ quotes, suggesting there are plenty of “carrier customisation points” for networks…
Bad news for those waiting for the Nokia N900 smartp- sorry, mobile computer to arrive on their favourite mobile network.
Word has it that the level of interface customisation that carriers have enjoyed on previous devices, such as adding links and icons to specific services might not be as easy on the new Maemo interface the device is running on.
David Rivas, Nokia’s vice president for device research and development, was quoted as saying:
“Very clearly Apple, Android… are a whole lot less about providing customization to the operators and a whole lot more about providing a really cool, compelling value proposition to the end-consumer. We have an opportunity, that we are going to take advantage of, with Maemo platform to play the game a little bit more along those lines than with Symbian lines.”
Does this mean that Nokia are finally prepared to stand their ground and present a better user experience above all else?
Kudos for attempting to put the consumer first, but as the Skype on N97 boycott proved, the networks have the capacity to play hardball when it suits them.
Nothing will irk them more than an inability to shill an App Store or music service at a time when alternative revenue streams are so valuable – especially on a perfect ambassador for mobile internet usage like the N900.
Having seen good phones hobbled by poorly customised software on more than one occasion, we hope that the Nokia N900 can maintain its user experience and be made available to as many customers as possible.
It is that good.
Source: Reuters via Unwired View
Tags: maemo, n900, Nokia, nokia n900