Nokia slides latest Linux tablet onto market
Internet device gets a keyboard
Nokia took a direct pop at Apple yesterday as it unveiled the latest addition to its internet tablet range.
The Nokia N810: it can definitely handle pink
The Linux-based N810 finally adds a real keyboard to the Nokia tablet range, instead of asking customers to rely on a full screen touch keyboard. This might go some way to answering the question of whether it's more of a phone than a computer. Just to be sure, Nokia is unabashedly claiming the latest device packs the "power of a traditional computer" into a pocket-sized package.
As well as the slide-out keyboard, the latest version includes a GPS receiver with built-in maps, and the option to upgrade to a full-on voice navigation service. Nokia's getting very attached to GPS at the moment, having just lashed out $8.1bn to take over Navteq. Screen size comes in at 4.13in and 800 x 480 resolution. Like its predecessors, it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and can be used to make VoIP calls.
The 810 could be seen as a direct rival to Apple's iPod Touch - reviewed here and iPhone devices. At the same time, Apple's iPhone is a clear grab at Nokia's cellphone hegemony.
Speaking at yesterday's launch in San Francisco, Nokia multimedia group executive vice president Anssi Vanjoki reportedly said: "We are competing with Apple on all fronts with all cylinders... Let the best man win."
The 810 will start shipping next month, with a US price tag of $479. ®
COMMENTS
Who needs a SIM?
I like the fact that it doesn't have a SIM. Why on earth would I need yet another phone contract or PAYG to top up, when I have a perfectly good Bluetooth-enabled contract phone with a hefty data allowance?
Nokia did the right thing by keeping this as a tablet and not trying to make it a SmartPhone.
It's the channel, stupid
Nokia could put a SIM in it, but as soon as they do that, uppity GSM service providers control the sales channel. Nokia is hedging its exposure to GSM, albeit in a very small way.
Damn.
I just spent 200 quid on a N800. If only I'd waited, I could probably get one even cheaper now.
The N810 looks utterly fantastic, though. Well done, Nokia!
In two minds
I'm seriously in 2 minds about this kit, I already have a 770 (bought for £70 from expansys) and the GPS built in sounds sweet if I can get it to work with Kismet but I'm not sure I could justify buying one... but if I could get it cheap with a contract it would be a possibilty... otherwise I'll just have to wait for whatever is 2 generations down the line so I can buy one cheap as end of line stock ;-)
Navigation key location
I think it's a mistake to hide away the five-way navigation key in the slide-out keyboard.
But otherwise it looks sweet, and if I didn't have an N800 already, I'd be very tempted.
The real keyboard is a nice feature. Touch screen keyboards all suck, IMHO, though they do have the advantage of adapting easily to non-English layouts.
