I think cell phones are an interesting thing. I never leave home without my Nokia N82. I’m actively using my phone at least a full hour a day (occasionally talking and texting, but a lot of web surfing and watching videos too). So when it comes time to consider an upgrade, its a big decision for me.
Recently, Nokia announced the N900, an impressive-looking device with “computer-grade performance in a compact size”. This latest device from Nokia seems like it would fit in nicely with my history of Nokia phones, starting from the 8290 when I first started driving, the 6230i I bought on a trip to HK after graduation, and the N82 that I bought during my trip to HK last year.
8290, 6230i, N82
As an aside, I no longer have to travel halfway across the world to buy the latest phone. The iPhone, first introduced a couple of years ago, has really changed the marketing of smartphones here in the US. The N900 has gotten some press among US consumers, while even with my N82 at first it seemed I was only one of a handful of users in the States.
There are really only two things that I thought about when I first considered the N900. My N82 already does everything I would expect from a smartphone.
The one thing that the N82 does not have, is 3G support for T-Mobile in the US. The N900, with the WCDMA 1700 band, is expected to have this feature. So, the first thing I thought about was, ‘Do I even have 3G service in my phone plan’? If I had to upgrade my phone plan (re: pay more $$/month), I probably would not consider a new phone. I gave the guys at T-Mobile a call this morning, and it turns out, I do have 3G in my $20/month “Total Internet Add-on”. Put down a check for Criteria #1.
The second thing I had concerns with is the size of the N900. I decided to make a cardboard cut-out, using the dimensions found in the technical specs, to determine how big the N900 is in comparison to my N82. The N900 is expected to be comparable in length to the N82, while a bit thicker and a little wider:
Doesn’t seem like it’s too much of difference, right? While all this was getting a little too subjective for me, I decided the real test was the center console of my car, where I often keep my phone when I’m driving.
In the console, there is this small compartment (“Not an ashtray”) that flips up and is the perfect size for my N82.
It is also felt-lined, and I like to think that it protects my phone nicely and is within reach while driving.
So, will the cardboard cut-out fit in the console of my car? “If it fits,” I told myself, “I’ll get the phone. If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
It must have been a sign when I, while in the car taking pictures, decided to turn on the engine so I could listen to a little music. The tail end of “Hold on Hope” by Guided by Voices was on. As I tried my final test, the song switched to “California On My Mind” by Wild Light.
Well, it doesn’t fit. Should I get it anyways? Should I get a new car that will fit my phone? I was thinking maybe if I remove the felt liner I can get it to fit. A trial for another day.