Apology For The Lack Of Updates
To the 185 readers of Tablet-Guru, I just wanted to post a quick apology for not updating this site. To be honest, things have been a bit crazy. I currently operate Symbian-Guru, and am also the News Editor at MobileBurn.com and a contributing author on SMStextnews.com, so I’m pretty full.
However, earlier this week I had decided that I would make it my goal to update this site at least 2-3 times per week. Different reviews and walkthroughs and the sort of thing that would help a new Internet Tablet owner get the most out of their new toy. However, I can’t say that I’m going to be doing that. In fact, I’m having a really hard time convincing myself that this is a good investment of my time.
This is based around the complete lack of communication recently from the Nokia/Maemo team. I simply don’t feel comfortable putting my name out there to endorse a product and help people enjoy a product that the manufacturer has apparently no concern for. I do not want to be the one who says, “yes, this product is a better investment than others, but don’t expect any sort of support from the manufacturer. They basically created the device and then walked away.”
The initial purpose of Tablet-Guru was because with the N810 and OS2008, I really felt as though the Nokia Internet Tablet product line was becoming something that could be called a consumer product. I felt as though my contribution could be to help newcomers learn more about their investment and how to add applications and what applications did what and that sort of thing. Again, however, I find it hard for ME to care about the product if I don’t feel that the manufacturer does.
I’ve not completely shut the site down because I still feel, somewhere, that they’ll fix this. However, I can’t say that I’m very motivated in the least bit to update this for a seemingly dead project.
Don’t abzndon ship. I bought my N810 after reading your and other sites.
I do think senior Nokia/Maemo people do need to publicly acknowledge, apologise for and promise to address the recent issues and lack of communucations as well as make a clear staement on their commitment to the platform.
And get those top 500 contributors their discounts. Keeping (getting them back) on side is critical.
Love the hardware, love the gui. Now get your act together guys and get a move on…
Zuber
writing from my N800. i’ve got nothing to add, just have to agree with you. This great device deserves better suport.
and one more thing. please keep on.
It´s a shame… Nokia can do better, I agree with you!
N810. Great hardware, naff software.
Nokia based this internet appliance on an open source O/S. It’s completely up to us(the user) as to what we want to see in terms of enhancements, add-ons and value-add functionality.
Correct me if I’m wrong here but I was under the impression that Open Source meant that we could “steer our own ship” as it were and other then Nokia providing the hardware, us buying it, we are pretty much left to our own device (no pun intended).
This is NOT a bloody Palm device nor is it a bloody Windows Mobile device; it’s much more and it has the capacity to grow as a good media and communication convergence tool if we have the patience to see this through. I don’t really see the point in chastising Nokia for a lack of communication given that Nokia has provided (with the ludicrous exception of the broken and bruised repositories), what I consider, generally acceptable support for it’s product and AGAIN, it’s OPEN SOURCE.
HAVE ANY OF YOU PAID FOR ANY OF THE THIRD PARTY APPLICATIONS YOU ARE RUNNING ON YOUR TABLETS? I can honestly say that I can vividly remember the days when I would have to pony up 40.00 U.S. for the luxury of having a functional media player on my Palm TX.
Personally, I love my N800 and I’m quite looking forward to the next iteration (N810 is just to close to the N800 to invest in, besides, I’ve got 16 Gigs of SD on the N800 and I’m not giving that up!).
Yes, there are bugs, yes, the Operating Systems still needs work, yes, you’re going to get the odd DOA unit, bottom line is these problems are not uncommon to most if not all mobile devices and why should Nokia be any different then say Palm or HP? Is Palm or HP more responsive to customer complaints then Nokia - NO. Could Nokia be a little more responsive; sure. I wonder how responsive Microsoft would be if it was their company manufacturing and marketing this Tablet. I shudder to ponder.
My Two Cents Canadian
*prods Microsoft, no response* (^_^)
@Crouching Hamster - I realize that the Tablets are open source and all that. However, I also know that Nokia is slowly wanting to push the Internet Tablets into the consumer marketplace, and product support is going to have to follow, or else the project is doomed.
I’m not asking for Nokia to create software or that. I’m disappointed because there have been several somewhat major screwups with the Internet Tablets in the past 60 days and no one has come forward to even acknowledge them.
Guru,
I completely agree that Nokia does need to do some work on the back end to shore up it’s communication skills with end users. I certainly won’t argue that point.
That being said, I question the wisdom of anyone who draws the conclusion that because of the recent abhorrent lack of communication with it’s customer base Nokia is abandoning their Internet Tablet line to the dustbins. This is a relatively new technology that will see some issues arise from time to time and all we need is the patience to persevere.
Let’s face it, most users that buy the tablets in the first place are what the industry as a whole considers to be “early adopters”. The opportunity cost, associated with such a label, is that we pay for R&D - measured both in time and money. That is a price I’m willing to pay as are most early adopters.
You may through your hands up in disgust at Nokia’s technology and information delivery methods (or lack there of) but I personally applaud Nokia for it’s forward thinking stance in this high tech vertical.
I’m an optimist when it comes to technology which is why I’ve a closet full of gadgets that seemed like good ideas at the time (force feedback mouse, Digital I/O pen, integrated PC Midi-Keyboard, etc.) but came up short on execution.
Keep the faith Guru.
Hamster
I understand your aggravation, and I can see where your perception comes from… but as an insider I can assure you that the company DOES care about the products– specifically, those close to them especially care. They are heavily vested, personally and professionally, in the tablets’ success.
Unfortunately, during Nokia
s MAJOR reorganization ( I cannot emphasize that enough), the crucial fourth quarter and the hectic holidays, certain critical things fell through the cracks. I don’t excuse any of it but I do want people to consider that the screwups were neither from malicious intent or even willful oversight. There were a few mistakes that started small and snowballed. That pretty much sums it up.
I can’t really share with you all the stress that many in Nokia have been experiencing during the recent craziness, but I’m sure if you put yourselves in our place you could understand. I can’t speak for all but right now I am busier than I’ve ever been, working nearly 24/7 it seems. No wonder Quim took a holiday. He deserved it.
So please cut us a little slack. We’re trying to restore normalcy. But it isn’t going to be quick or easy.