I am one of the priviledged few people in the world to own and use the exclusive and elusive Nokia N9. This is the wonder device with an amazing OS embedded in one of the most amazing hardware on mobile ever.
That OS has been branded MeeGo. However, the N9 does not really run MeeGo, because MeeGo wasn’t quite ready.
The N9 Is Not MeeGo
The Nokia N9 runs Maemo/Harmattan. Maemo was Nokia’s purpose built OS for tablets. It has powered a number of iterations of Nokia touchscreen tablets for years, the last being the N900, which I also reviewed here some time ago.
The N9 does not run MeeGo.
So, note: MeeGo wasn’t ready. On that, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop was right. Let us settle that once and for all. I have used the N9 till today, and I am convinced of that.
Even Maemo/Harmattan Isn’t Quite Ready
So, Nokia came up with an amazing device that runs Maemo/Harmattan branded as MeeGo. Problem solved. Who cares; right?
If you have been reading Mobility blog for a few months, you will have read my raving reviews and commentaries on the N9. All those positives remain valid. But here are the kind of issues that suggest to me that Maemo/Harmattan is not quite ready for mainstream consumers.
Take a look at these instructions:
Activate “Developer mode” by going to: Settings > Security > Developer mode. It’s OFF by default. Turn it ON.
After having it activated, you will find a “Terminal” app button under application menu.
Open it and you need to execute these commands (one command per line):
gconftool –recursive-unset /system/http_proxy
gconftool –recursive-unset /system/proxy
gconftool –recursive-unset /system/osso
I am betting my salary that if you are not a computer gizmo, you have no clue what those instructions are. I am betting that you have no interest in typing those Linux commands on your phone, except you live on command line instructions.
Well, those instructions are the only known way to solve a problem with the built-in Twitter app not working on the N9. Go figure.
For a long time, everything worked fine on my N9, then suddenly Twitter stopped connecting. Nothing I did worked. I restarted the device, checked my connections and even spoke to it (who knows?). Nada.
Finally, I got on the internet, and found that the only solution was the above steps. Now, I am more computer and mobile savvy than most people, but I can assure you that I didn’t feel any happier that I had found a solution. This solution sucks for the average consumer. It sucks for me too. Honest.
There are users with similar issues with the built-in Facebook app as well. There are some indications that adding multiple Google accounts on the N9 seems to corrupt the something somewhere (I’m deliberately avoiding geek-speak here).
Maemo, MeeGo, Mini, Mo
I love the Swipe UI of the Nokia N9, and thankfully Nokia say that they are implementing that on other devices. The N9 works well in almost every other way. But do ask yourself, “Do I want to become a Linux enthusiast in order to troubleshoot my smartphone?”
I’m betting that your answer is a big No – at least for most of you.
Troubleshooting Maemo/MeeGo devices will thrill geeks and nerds. But not the mainstream consumer. I am finally believing that Nokia made a good call dumping this platform.
Windows Phone, Anyone?
Windows Phone has a sleek, elegant user interface, but lacks too many functionality that Nokia fans have been used to. Too many.
as such, Nokia fans are caught in a tough place – Maemo/MeeGo not quite ready, Symbian has been pronounced dead (though it has stubbornly refused to die, the developer apathy to the platform is serious), and Windows Phone is so, so different.
Get Over It
Let’s get over it, guys: while the Nokia N9 is an amazing device and gets the job done, if and when you have issues, you know you don’t want to do the gobbledegook that is required to solve those problems.
Oh, plus, there are just too few apps available for the platform. It simply would be an uphill task getting apps to flood the market for it.
Running with Maemo/MeeGo simply would have been a strenous, uphill task for Nokia.
Still, I must commend the great job done by the small team that came up with the N9. Pulling this off in a matter of months, even after your CEO had declared your work as destined for the labs was amazing. Hat tip, guys.
But truth be told, this baby is not ready for mainstream consumerism yet.
Should You Get The N9?
Sure; it just depends on who you are. If you are a hardcore mobile enthusiast; yes do get it. If you love to use an exclusive device and stand out like I do, yes; do get one.
If you are also not an app junkie, by all means do get one.
Fortunately, I am both a hardcore mobile person and a lover of the finest in exclusivity. Plus, I use the barest minimum of 3rd party apps on my mobiles. As such, I am covered on all ends.
Now, do excuse me while I [grudgingly] go do the gobbledegook instructions required to get my Twitter account working on my N9 again. Don’t beef.
Comments please!
This post was written by
Mister Mobility – who has written 937 posts on Mobility blog.
Founder, Mobility blog. Serial lifestyle entrepreneur, speaker, wordsmith, and friendly neighbourhood alien. Follow him on Twitter @Mister_Mobility.
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December 31st, 2011 at 9:26 am Browsing with
Ho! Hoo!! Hooo!!!
No. no thanks..;-)
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December 31st, 2011 at 9:32 am Browsing with
probably maemo/meego was produced as a fall back just in-case they dont get the desired break-through on the windows phone platform
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December 31st, 2011 at 9:37 am Browsing with
EyeBeeKay, junkie!
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December 31st, 2011 at 9:38 am Browsing with
fortespy, that is a probable one. Work on MeeGo behind the scenes and without any pressure while testing the WP waters. Who knows/ Time will tell.
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December 31st, 2011 at 9:41 am Browsing with
By the way, I got my Twitter working again
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December 31st, 2011 at 9:44 am Browsing with
cos the maemo/meego platform is an improved DNA of Nokia’s veteran symbian platform. now imagine it running on tablets, the UI and experience would stage another competition to Nokia’s advantage.
like Mister Mobility said……. time would precisely tell
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December 31st, 2011 at 12:51 pm Browsing with
I think physical design/build would have been more apt as just hardware could be misleading, making it appear as if the N9 has better hardware specification than other phones in the market rather than unique physical design.
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December 31st, 2011 at 1:09 pm Browsing with
Nokia should be able to send out an update to patch these stuffs up.
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December 31st, 2011 at 1:18 pm Browsing with
All this article says is:
N9 bug: Google it and find a solution OR wait for an update.
WindowsPhone bug: wait for an update.
Hmmm………. I guess the mainstream consumer doesn’t like options
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January 4th, 2012 at 9:22 am Browsing with
I pretty much got the N9 because I wanted to develop apps for it, and I absolutely love the design and the UX.
By the way, I think the PR 1.1.1 update fixes the Twitter connectivity issue.
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January 4th, 2012 at 10:22 am Browsing with
Akinwale,
I have PR1.1.1 running on mine, and the issues still show up. In fact, its getting worse.
Facebook, Twitter and my email accounts keep asking me to login on a regular basis. Having to login 10 times a day is just crazy.
Getting sick of it.
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January 5th, 2012 at 10:51 am Browsing with
obviously these problems would have been solved and the developer mode would have been removed if they wanted to make it a mainstream device. It’s only probably because Stephen Flop had already announced that the OS would be dumped that they didnt bother. Besides, this is a brand new OS. All OSes have been at this stage, even android with the G1 then. Think back a few months ago windows phone’s functionality was ZERO. I think meego is doing much better than wp7 when it was at this stage
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January 5th, 2012 at 11:09 am Browsing with
meego/maemo/hammartan…. nokia’s contingency plan.probably Elop’s microsofts stooge in the Finnish company.dont be surprised a mobile phone manufacturer is gearing up to buy symbian/meego if nokia is daft enough to kill it (which would be so unfortunate). also worthy of note is the fact that Anna/Belle/maemo/meego have a promising/bright future. its glaring
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January 5th, 2012 at 7:30 pm Browsing with
facts are fAst emerging……
Rumor: Stephen Elop to resign as Nokia CEO in 2012, smartphone unit to be sold off to Microsoft – Cell Phone News and Review… – http://m.intomobile.com/2012/01/05/rumor-stephen-elop-resign-nokia-ceo-2012-smartphone-unit-sold-off-microsoft/
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