Nokia backtracks, will allow customized Linux phones
updated 12:45 pm EDT, Fri September 11, 2009
Nokia says no-customize story untrue
Nokia this morning reversed its seeming stance on excluding carrier customization from Maemo-based smartphones like the N900. Despite an executive claiming Nokia would at least partly follow the Android and iPhone models of giving less control to carriers over software in the OS, the company now says the argument is "simply incorrect" and that there are "many customization points" for carriers to alter the platform.
Whether the turnabout is a result of a mistaken interpretation by the original Reuters source or else a rapid change in Nokia's own attitude isn't certain. While Apple's model of refusing to cater to carrier look and feel is regarded as part of why it has so far been successful with the iPhone, analysts warned that many carriers might refuse to carry the N900 without concessions and would hurt its potential sales.
The downward trend in smartphone prices spurred partly by Apple and Google has meant that Nokia can less afford to sell its phones at their full, unsubsidized prices. Also, the Finland-based company has rarely had runaway success with individual phone models and has never used expectations of the brand to secure particularly favorable deals with carriers.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2000
Internet Tablet not Phone
Please understand that the N900 was born from the Internet Tablet series. This is an IT that has cell capability. I guarantee you that any of the IT fans, such as myself, who get this with some sort of carrier muck on it, will disable and delete said carrier muck.