[alan236]

The Nokia N900 advertises itself as able to surf the web in desktop mode - as opposed to the scaled down version usually used by mobiles. Since UK networks offer 'unlimited' web buit actually mean 500MB, won't there be serious cost implications for using the Nokia as a full internet browser. Will networks perhaps add some sort of 'default to mobile internet' function on the phones?

Related question. Is a Nokia N900 bought from a third-party (e.g., mobilephonedirect) but sold with a contract to say Vodafone, nevertheless automatically unbranded.

Are there any implications as far as the use of the N900's features, from it not being branded by but used on a UK network?

[jacobsladder]

Yes, in theory you could go over the 500MB limit with this device, particularly if you make use of youtube and other video services. Even BBC news front page is 0.5MB, so you could surf about 1000 similar pages/month, or 30pages/day.

If you pay full price then it will most likely be unbranded/unlocked, but you would need to ask the supplier. If it is sold with a contract, and therefore subsidised, then there is a significant risk that it will be branded/locked to that network operator. Again you would need to ask the question, but unfortunately there is no guarantee you would get an honest answer.

There had been somemention from Nokia that they were not going to allow features to be disabled by networks, but that some customisation was allowed, we will need to wait and see if VOIP would be disabled.

So the main implication would be SIM lock preventing you from using your N900 on another network.

[jacobsladder]

Vodafone offer higher limits, 3GB and 5GB for a little more money/month. I guess the other operators do also.

On the locking/branding issue, one thing to check is this. If you go to MPD as an example and they are offering a device with a contract, but when you check the network operator, they do not offer the device, then there is a pretty good chance that the device is not locked. MPD do sell unlocked/unbranded phones, I haven't had experience of other independent sellers.

Thing to note is, if you are buying in the UK, then there will always be some UK specific changes, regardless of which network.

[cpitchford]

The browser on the N900 is branded as a Nokia browser so some sites may think it is a mobile browser and therefore serve a lighter version of the site..

On a serious plus side, Adblock Plus is available*.. Dropping 25meg flash adverts for american health care is wonderful when in the UK.. especially on a latency high 3g network!!

 * It isn't a polished release of adblock and requires a bit of hacking.. It was available as a polished package for the N800 and N810, but the N900 one isn't totally there yet, though I'd expect it to be as simple as "click to install" very very soon.. The N800/810 version was brill!

Cutting adverts (moral objections aside) cuts download times dramtically, especially as more and more are flash content and that will hammer the CPU.. and just generally slow everything down..

[alan236]

That's helpful J.

No network is selling it directly as yet, and it is unclear whether they intend to, nor whether Nokia are putting restrictions on branding alteration (like the disabling of wi-fi that has happened with other phones). But third-party sellers are offering the phone with Vodafone (MPD) and Orange contracts.

Interested to hear about higher limits for web. I thought the higher limits were only for 'broadband dongle' services for use with laptops not phone surfing. Orange implies a basic 500MB but 'unlimited' for an extra fee - but then their smallprint defines 'mobile internet' as 500MB. All gets very confusing.

I'm currently coming up to Upgrade time with my phone, so near end contract too, with Vodafone. Confused as to how third-party 'upgrade' offers work. They have an 'upgrade' deal with the N900 but I feel certain that if I tried to upgrade directly with Vodafone with my current contract they'd put limits on the calibre of phones they'll allow.

Basically I want to know that all the touted functions of the N900 will work, whether it's branded or unbranded.