- Warner Crocker

Nokia’s new Internet Tablet, the N810, has certainly captured a lot of attention. As far as Thoughtfix is concerned, I don’t think he’s slept since he got his hands on a pre-production model. He’s put together a couple of videos of the device in action, and a very extensive FAQ list of info and things he’s going to be checking out. Intrepid as ever, I doubt he can get it all covered by the time the next device is released, but I bet he’s going to give it a go. Don’t forget to check out his guest editorial here on GBM about Linux and Nokia’s devices.

- Matt Faulkner

Quite an article over on Information Week talking about the Apple iPhone and the Nokia N810.  Some of the readers comments and comebacks are really interesting.  To get the full effect of the article, you have to read the initial article the guy wrote after spending only 5 minutes with the N810. 

One comment that gave me a blast from the past - and there is probably a lot of readers of this site that had one too....

With the exception of the display size and keyboard, the N810 is roughly equivalent to the hardware specs of the PC I used in 1997. It surfed the Web, played music, and probably could've played video if there was any to be played.

Of course that is taken out of context, but if you really think about that, it's true.  We have these devices in our palms that 10 years ago were sitting under our desks.  iPhone, N810 or UMPC any way you look at them, they are an advancement that makes us all the mobile people we are today.  Head on over and read the article and see what you think of the comparisons.

- Rob Bushway

Warner pointed to Internet Tablet Talk's pictures of the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet this morning. Here are some updated links with the official announcement, plenty of specs, pictures, first impressions, etc.

The Nokia N810 is listed at $479, available in November. Good news for current N770 and N800 owners: we'll get the updated OS, too.

- Warner Crocker

Internet Tablet Talk has pics of the Nokia N810, the eagerly awaited next step up from the N800 from Nokia. We’ve seen pics before, but this looks like the real deal. Check out the full range of pictures here.

- Warner Crocker

Nokia is rolling out its answer to Apple’s popular multi-touch on the iPhone for the S60 platform at the Symbian Smartphone Show. From the launch video Nokia’s touch seems to not be multi-touch, though it does support both finger and stylus input. It also includes haptic tactile feedback and will be backwardly compatible with the existing S60 platform.

- Warner Crocker

Thoughtfix is turning into quite the detective. He’s dug up some info that looks like Nokia will be talking about their next Internet Tablet on October 23. Apparently it is christened the N810, although that model number might suggest that it may be a revision of the existing N800. Guess we’ll find out the real scoop soon.

- Rob Bushway

Thoughtfix just let us know that Amazon has slashed the price on the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet from $399 to $279, and Buy.com showing it at $242.99 . That is quite the steal, and a good indicator that Nokia's next Internet Tablet is coming soon.

 Thanks for letting us know about the Buy.com price, Michael

- Warner Crocker

This could come in handy for those who are sight-impaired, and perhaps for all of those who insist on working with a mobile device while driving. Nokia has developed a patent for an “eyes-free” touchscreen. Looks like the theory is a that a special cover contains slightly raised areas that correspond to certain functions on the device.

US Patent and Trademark Office via Gizmodo.

- Warner Crocker

If you have a Nokia N770 Internet Tablet and admiring the newer N800 model, you might want to take a look at this. GBM Forum member blademonkey has posted a way for you to put the N800 OS on your N770. From the post it looks like this is sanctioned by Nokia, so check out this thread for the how-to.

 

- Rob Bushway

Thoughtfix was fortunate enough to attend Nokia's Unlocked event, and has been posting up a storm from the event. As someone who also follows Nokia closely and enjoy's using the N800 Internet Tablet, I found Nokia's VP Bill Plummer answer to Thoughtfix's question about their next Internet Tablet intriguing: more consumer focused rather than geek focused. What might that entail? Any guesses?

As we've said before, Nokia is one company you need to follow in the whole MID / UMPC / Internet Tablet space. We'll also continue following them closely on GBM.

Watch below as Thoughtfix puts the "next Internet Tablet question to Plummer:

- Rob Bushway

Man, one look at all of my equipment, and it is becoming quite clear to me that a few things have got to go. I might have to reclaim my title of "man of many tablet pc's"

What all do I have and what am I going to get rid of? Hit the Read More link to find out - and let me know what you think of my decisions.

 

- Matt Faulkner

I've had the N800 for a few days now and after the initial un-boxing on Ustream the other night I have been playing with it for a little while every day since.  I have really enjoyed the 'internet tablet' so far, but I still have a long way to go to really get a feel of everything this little guy can do.  Like Rob with the Advantage, we don't deal with too many devices that aren't Tablet PC or UMPC related, but there are a few that enhance our 'Mobile' life, and the N800 could be one of those devices. 

First during the unboxing.  Packaging was really well done.  I know this really doesn't have much to do with the product itself, but that initial impression goes a long way.  Very nice presentation of the device right when you open up the box - Shiny silver bezel peeking out at you from under a colorful flap covering the right side.  Then I picked up the N800 - very small and light.  A look around the device and you can see the ports, the built in stand and all the buttons around the device.  Then you get the true feel of the unit after hitting the power button.

Then, you turn it on - Took a few to boot up the first time, but not too long for any discomfort on my end, much faster than booting up a computer.  The screen looks crisp with a few gadgets to explore already up on the screen.  The initial introduction to the device was positive.

So - Playing around with it.  So far, I have had some Skype conversations, a couple of GTalk video chats and  GTalk IM sessions with some people.  I have also been using the RSS reader to keep up on some feeds while not using my computer.  Surfing the web is really fun and fast on the N800 - especially in full screen mode.  It's a lot better presentation than surfing on my Treo 750 from Cingular.  The home screen is a great information store - I can have the FM radio, feeds, Google search....  and the list goes on - right there on the screen when I turn it on.  One nice feature is the touch implementation.  If you use the stylus, most of the menus are smaller sized that you can hit with the stylus.  On the other hand, if you touch with your finger - most of the menus are bigger and easier to hit.  And last but not least - You can Ink.  Inking is no where near a Tablet PC or the improved Vista interface - BUT, it does reasonably well.  You can add how you write letters to make it ever better. 

One thing I haven't been able to do is use the Treo 750 as a BT connection with the N800.  I've tried a few times to get it to sync, but for some reason, DUN isn't showing up as a service on the phone with the 750.  To be honest, I have been using WIFI at work and home and really haven't needed to use it with the phone yet, so I haven't spent too much time on this problem.  I might try this weekend again when I have more time. Oh - and why can't you have video Skype calls - that would be great!

Is it a good companion??  I have to say yes.  Perfect mobile device - not sure...  I'm still playing :)  I'll keep you updated.  In the mean time, if you want to get some more information, news and tips on the N800, head over to TabletBlog and check out what ThoughtFix has to say.

- Matt Faulkner

I have a new toy sitting in my office that was just delivered.  It's a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet.  If you want to tune in Tonight 8/16/2007 at 10 PM Eastern you can follow this link to the UStream.tv channel.

I am going to hold off opening even the UPS box as to not even tempt me to look in the box that actually has the N800 in it!!

I've never even had my hands on one of these, so it will be as new to me as it is you.  I'll try and get things up and running, surf the net, check out Skype if anybody is online at the time...  might even cut the show and see if I can broadcast to the Ustream channel from the N800 - but we'll wait till the end just in case that doesn't work...

So, if you want to see the Nokia N800 unboxed and have any questions - tune in tonight, Thursday August 16th at 10pm Eastern Time!!

- Rob Bushway

- Rob Bushway

The recent excitement about the iPhone illustrates, among other things, that we have a more emotional relationship with our gadgets than some manufacturers allow for. It's all about an experience -- the physical feel of the device, the elegance of its interface, the interaction with it. The more connected we become, the more important this will become, because those devices serve as conduits to the worlds and communities we inhabit online. The lesson? Filling the Hole means taking the lessons we've learned with cellphones, iPods and iPhones and applying them to devices that are a little larger, not the other way around: trying to cram our workshop tools into something smaller.

- Warner Crocker

Lots of speculation afoot that Nokia is going to add a keyboard to the very popular N800. Thoughtfix has put together a post of the things he like to see added to a next generation version and the things he’d like to see retained. With the recent edition of Skype functionality to the N800, this little device looks to be gaining some steam among its adherents. Would adding a keyboard increase the momentum?

Make sure you check out the GBM InkShow on the Nokia N800.

 

- Rob Bushway

I've played with the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet several times, and each time walk away quite impressed with it. Courtesy of ThoughtFix, Warner produced an InkShow on the N800, which you can view here.

To the utter joy of N800 uses everywhere, several weeks ago Kevin Tofel learned that Skype was coming for the N800 - a perfect application for the N800. Ever since, Thoughtfix has been pinging the Nokia update page anxiously waiting for firmware update to appear.

Again, thanks to ThoughtFix, we've learned that Nokia has finally released the update, and yes, Skype is included as well as some other much needed improvements. ThoughtFix has the complete lowdown on the all of the improvements, along with his commentary during the install.

Learn more by reading the official announcement over at Maemo.org

BTW: If there is anything you need to know about the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, I'd highly recommend subscribing to ThoughtFix's blog. The guy lives and breathes the N800 and can tell you everything you need to know.

 

- Matt Faulkner

We have covered the N800 in the past, and we have also covered the use of a UMPC as a GPS device.  Now, it looks like we have both  of them together in one - Using the N800 as a GPS device in the car.  Over at Tabletblog.com they have a series of 3 videos posted of the unit being used as a navigator.  These videos take the N800 with the NAVKIT thru it's paces using the Navicore software.  He give a nice overview of the software, in car setup and a long video of it in action.

To sum it up in his own words:

In conclusion, I would say that the Navicore software is some of the best software ever written for Nokia Internet Tablets. With Canola, Rhapsody, Gizmo Project and other software, it's clear that the Nokia Internet Tablet platform gets stronger as time goes on. For Internet Tablet users, it's a a fantastic kit.

Via JKonTheRun, via maemo