N900 fixlist 09

I really like the N900, so much that I decided to buy it. With so many smartphones passing through The Nokia Guide labs that doesn’t happen very often. The N900 may be a multi-tasking beast, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. There are a few software features missing or that need that a quick fix to make it just right. Luckily these are software related and can be added or easily fixed with a software update. So Nokia please take note and include these in your next firmware update.

1.Potrait Mode. This is probably the most requested feature for the N900. Currently it’s only able to work in Landscape mode, save for the phone features and some apps like gPodder. This feature would make the N900 a lot easier considering its dimensions. We’re hearing that this feature might be coming around Christmas. With Christmas just a few weeks away, this feature might be coming before the year even ends. Let’s hope this is true.

2.OVI Sync support. I’ve got my contacts, appointments,meetings and notes all synced in the clouds on OVI. But I can’t access them! OVI Sync currently doesn’t support the Nokia N900 and as a result there’s now way of backing up or accessing data stored on OVI using the N900. If you’re thinking of selling your previous smartphone, be sure to sync it with the N900 to get your data on your new device. It takes a bit for Nokia to support new devices, but eventually they do get it working. What’s the point of data stored in the clouds if you can’t access it.

3.Music Player Equalizer. The N900 has a great finger-friendly and beautiful Music Player, but strangely missing is one of the most basic features: the Equalizer.

4.OVI Store for Maemo. Launching the OVI store app show takes you to a website telling you that it’s “coming soon.” We know that it’s coming, but a stop place for you apps, ringtones, themes and games is essential for any modern mobile device.

5.Nokia Messaging support for more regions. The N900 actually supports Nokia Messaging, but not for all regions. Currently it only support the US. Those of us outside the US will need to manually add all of our separate email account, instead of a single account that manages all of your email accounts.

6.Facebook App. Both the N97 and N97 mini have a Facebook Widget and app. The N900 has a Facebook Widget that opens up the browser taking you to the full desktop version of Facebook. While the browser faithfully renders the Facebook site, a dedicated Facebook app is much  faster and easier to use.

7.Better Podcast supprt in the Music Player. On Symbian devices like the N97 the Music Player correctly identifies Podcasts and creates a Podcast folder. With the N900 there is no way this can be done other than using Playlist. What’s also missing is a resume feature, for Podcasts.

8.Support for more VoIP and IM Accounts. The N900 supports Skype, Google Talk and OVI Chat. I would like to see Live Messenger, Yahoo and other popular IM clients.

9.More Application memory. There’s a 2GB partition where all the software is installed. That’s just 2GB! Considering that many Maemo apps can be larger than 10MB, it’s easy to see that 2GB can fill up fast. This storage space should be set more around 4GB or at least be user selectable among 2, 4 or 6GB of space.

10.Rhapsody App. Remember that cool Rhapsody application on the N800 and N810 that allowed you stream an unlimited amount of music from their library? I absolutely loved that application, but it somehow got pulled from the N900.

What fixes and features would you like to see on the N900?