A Guide to Maemo Extras for More Nokia N900 Applications

October 27th, 2009 • Mark Guim • Filed Under •

When I was at Maemo Summit, I kept hearing the terms ‘Maemo Extras’ and ‘Extras Testing.’ As a new user to the OS, I was totally clueless! I did some digging and found out these were repositories or places where applications from the community can be found. I’ll share with you what I learned and how you can use it when you get the Nokia N900.

Extras

InstallAn easy way to browse and install applications from ‘Extras’ is by going to downloads.maemo.org from the Nokia N900’s web browser. You can install the apps by simply clicking on the green arrows.

You should also enable the repository in Application manager so that the N900 receives update notifications for the apps. The Extras repository is supposed to be pre-configured in the Nokia N900 but is disabled by default. To enable:

Go into the Application manager.
Tap the menu -> Application catalogs…
Tap Maemo Extras.
Uncheck Disabled.

Screenshot-20091027-010437.png

If it’s not there, you can manually add it:

Application manager –> Application catalogs –> New
Catalog name: Maemo Extras
Web address: http://repository.maemo.org/extras/
Distribution: fremantle
Components: free non-free

After you enabled the repository, browse through the download section of the Application manager.

Screenshot-20091027-010716.png

Screenshot-20091027-010825.png

Extras-testing

If you feel adventurous, Extras-testing holds applications waiting to be tested and passed to the Extras repository mentioned above. Warning: Applications here might break and cause trouble to your device! Regular users are encouraged to stay away!

You can check out the apps here with comments and ratings from testers. To install the apps, activate the repository in application manager:

Application manager –> Application catalogs –> New
Catalog name: Maemo Extras-testing
Web address: http://repository.maemo.org/extras-testing/
Distribution: fremantle
Components: free non-free

Extras-devel

I shouldn’t even be mentioning Extras-devel because it could really mess up your device. Warning: The software hosted in extras-devel is most likely not ready for end users. Developers upload the newest version of their software to extras-devel for an ‘automatic and human Quality Assurance process’ before it gets passed to Extras-testing.

Screenshot-20091027-011641.png
Haze plugin adds more services to IM on Nokia N900

I was hesitant at first, but I decided to install a plugin from this repository after hearing about account-plugin-haze. It lets me add my AIM
account on the built-in Conversations instant messaging app on the N900. It also supports GaduGadu, ICQ, MSN, QQ, Sametime, and Yahoo, but I don’t use those services. It seems to be working fine so far and I hope to see it in the Extras repository soon!

To activate:

Application manager –> Application catalogs –> New
Catalog name: Maemo Extras-devel
Web address: http://repository.maemo.org/extras-devel/
Distribution: fremantle
Components: free non-free

More Reading

I gathered all the information above from the Maemo Wiki. I hope it helps other Nokia N900 users who are new to Maemo like me. If you want to read straight from the source, check out the wiki for Maemo Extras.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...

  • Rajdashingdude007
    m not able to add extras catalog... it showa update failed...
  • Vincenzo345
    I'm hoping someone can help, I'm trying to set up the Maemo extras-devel catalogue on my N900 but keep getting a message telling me that the catalogue failed to refresh. Vincenzo part of ristrutturazione casa team.
  • I have used maemo extra and it's applications are perfect for Apps lovers.
  • Hsai99
    n900 does not hv callrecording system...also sms forwarding is poor
  • Fx_f
    there is a program for that called extended call log
  • N900 Netherlands
    Ok now we have install extra en extra devel, and after a few months your root gets completely full.
    You cant de-install these apps becuase now you cant run the application manager anymore..

    Thats means no new apps from OVI or other catalogi, so no new update...

    Please HELP!
    I cant find any website which tells me how to de-install apps from my n900 without using the app manager. Does anyone know how or where i can find some information?

    Please BE WARNED!
    Dont instal extra and extra devel if you want a good working N900.
  • Jef
    AIM does NOT work on the N900. I've installed the necessary plugins, but AIM simply will not sign on.
  • doubleddjc
    I have the N900 and didn't know it can't recieve pictures via text from other phones is there a application to get them. thx. JC
  • yes there is, it's called fMMS,

    http://blog.frals.se/2010/04/18/fmms-0-9-0-aka-...

    works great for me, nearly version 1.0 :-)

    frals is my fracking hero!
  • doubleddjc
    Thank you, I will check this out and reply, I am challenged by the N900, so
    used to N95, N93 and E71, almost went to the E72( Symbian) but bought this
    N900 (Maemo). any other tricks or info would be helpful. Thanks, JC
  • doubleddjc
    Thx. i will ceck this out and reply. I have to admiy this Maemo is challenging me over past s60 nokias. I had E71. N93 and N95. .
    ----- Original message -----
  • huangcmm
    hah
  • how do i install yahoo messenger and games
  • KHYAM
    Hi everybody i have got N900 and i installed maemo extras and extras testing and maemo Extra devel ,when i installed thoes catalogs i have got problem,i have put many songs,pics and video but media player not showing that video,songs and pics ,and all catalogs lost,i did restore factory setting and tried to put again all catalog,when i am going open aplication manager it says that opration faild,so how can i solve my problems plz help me ,thanks ,
  • khalid
    trying to install gtranslate on my N900 but not working properly
    do I have to extract all files then download or should it be the zip file to install ?
    pls help
    thank you
  • thefitz
    Anybody know where the application for chinese translations went? Need Chinese on my N900
  • dominique
  • Adroid
    this may sound lil awkward but im completely helpless here,
    the thing is that,
    1: I istalled rooths and python.2.5 blah blah blah,

    2: i downloaded and transfered my .deb files {all required files} via computer,
    and installed them via x-terminal command

    3: I now have the the ussD pad on my app menu folder, and uSSD widget,

    4: the problem is, when i tried to launch the UssD pad, it shows me some sort of loading signals, after a while in automatical quit without even showing the application foreground,

    4: when i add the widget to my desktop, it refuses to show up.
    pls i dont knw if there is any dependancies that im missing???
    i dunno wat to do...
    pls i need help ASAP
  • mike
    how can i download hotspot shield on my n900,and from where? please help...
  • jack
    im looking for that too... have you found it...?
    please help!
  • kamranchatha
    FMMS is not available now in the menu i guess... fAPN is there but fMMS id not there what to do mates??
  • miko
    mark,
    can you please check if anchorfree hotspot shield works on this phone? this is a privacy protection application. thanks.
  • Thank you for a great post. Having recently received my Nokia N900, the application manager and all the extra downloads are a godsend to the phone.
  • Sjoerd
    Nope!
    Sorry man....i have the same error message....also by the mozilla catalogi
  • max12
    did this work for you becuase i tried and it didn't work.
blog comments powered by Disqus