Nokia’s N800
Internet Tablet updates the firm’s Linux-based web device with a beefed up
specification and newer technology, such as Adobe Flash 7. Although aimed at
mobile users, the device’s reliance on Wi-Fi or a Bluetooth link with a phone
handset make it better suited to delivering on-campus access to information
instead of a smartphone alternative.
Shipping since the start of February, the N800 is a lightweight (206g) unit
that can easily be carried around, and which offers web browsing, IP telephony,
instant messaging a media player and support for RSS web feeds.
However, the N800’s 4.1in 800x480 display is too small for web browsing, and
we found many pages virtually unreadable unless we used the zoom function of the
built-in Opera 8 browser to increase the
size of text. This often had the knock-on effect of rearranging the layout of
many pages. However, the browser is the full desktop version of Opera and so is
capable of displaying pretty much any web page you can access from a PC. The
built-in Flash player also helps with this.
Nokia’s Internet Tablets have an open-source development platform, Maemo,
which may interest those looking to build their own mobile applications on the
N800. The Internet Tablet OS 2007 platform is based on
Debian Linux, which should also make it
simpler to port existing applications to the device. However, we found the N800
spontaneously reset itself several times while we were using it, calling into
question its reliability for business applications.
As well as a faster processor and twice the memory of its predecessor at
128MB RAM and 256MB Flash, the N800 introduces a miniature video camera that
pops out from the side of the device. This VGA-resolution unit is intended for
making video calls and automatically starts the Internet Call application when
deployed. Users need either a Google
Talk or Jabber account in order to make
video or voice IP calls, but Nokia plans to have a
Skype client available on the N800 later
this year.
Because the N800 is designed for Wi-Fi access, Nokia has made it simple to
find and connect to available hotspots using its Connection Manager. The tool
remembers connections that have been previously used, and can store passwords
for hotspots that require a login.
Nokia quotes the battery life of the N800 as up to three and a half hours
browsing time, which might be limiting for workers using the device as their
chief mobile client. However, we found we could use the N800 for longer than
this because Nokia’s power management cuts in after a short period of
inactivity, and users are unlikely to be browsing continuously for over three
hours.
The N800’s chief input method is a stylus and on-screen keyboard, but there
are also two navigation controls alongside the display. The N800 has two SD card
slots for Flash storage: one inside the battery compartment and one external
with a plastic cover.
