Run the Palm OS on your Nokia Internet Tablet

We all know that Palm OS 5 (aka Garnet) is getting a bit ancient in terms of mobile technology given that it was released back in 2002. However, there are still some applications from the thousands available for the Palm OS that many of us like to run, yet we want to also have the latest and greatest hardware. There are a couple of ways you can have the latest in mobile tech hardware and still run Palm OS applications. There is StyleTap for Windows Mobile devices (and soon for Symbian devices too) and now the Garnet Virtual Machine for Nokia Nseries Internet Tablets (including the 770, N800, and N810).

The Garnet VM Beta for Nokia Nseries was created by ACCESS, who is the company that bought PalmSource. You can now run virtually all your favorite Palm OS applications on the Nokia Internet Tablets and I can’t wait to try out a few of my favorite apps. They would appreciate it if you could fill out their compatibility survey when you try applications so they can continue to improve the product. Sound is not support for the Nokia 770 device due to a missing set of libraries on that device.

Thanks to the guys at jkOnTheRun for the heads-up on this news.

Sunday Deal - Nokia N800 Internet Tablet PC

I was over at Buy.com this morning and saw a nice deal on the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet.

They have it up for $232.99 which is a real decent price and you get FREE shipping.


The Nokia N800 Internet Tablet easily connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi or compatible cellular phone so you can enjoy the Internet virtually anytime and anyplace on a portable high-resolution widescreen display. What is even better is the ability to make Internet Phone calls, IM and check & send your email e-mail all from the comfort of your easy chair.

On the road? With plenty of storage available, you can have movies and music stored on the device to watch and enjoy when you want …. It has been a great experience for me and I would expect you will enjoy it too!

Mozilla, ARM and Samsung collaborate on Linux UMPC

Take some known innovators in the tech world, put them in a room with some felt-tip pens, paper and the command to mash up a few topical niches, and you might end up with the seven-strong group that today announced their intention to bring a Linux-based UMPC to the market in early 2009.

As well as Mozilla, ARM and Samsung, partners include Texas Instruments, MontaVista, Movial and Marvell Technologies - Microsoft, despite coining the UMPC moniker, is conspicuous by its absence - and the device they have in their sights is an open-source version of Nokia’s N800 Internet Tablet. Namely, a compact unit that relies on internet applications rather than demanding standalone software.

“You can attach to the web and do email and browsing without all the baggage of
a PC and Windows and Office. There are web-based alternatives to all that”
Jim Ready, CTO MontaVista

The eventual result would be a reference platform comprising of chip design, Debian-based Linux distro, MontaVista’s OS, Mozilla’s browser and then integrated hardware management and wireless networking along with a basic set of entertainment software. They expect to finalise the platform’s development early 2008.

ComputerWorld UK [via Tablet PC Talk]

Nokia To Launch WiMAX Handsets

The next generation of Nokia’s Internet Tablet will feature the long-range wireless broadband technology known as WiMAX, the latest push by the Finnish cell phone maker to develop an all-in-one handset.

The company, which controls about one-third of the worldwide mobile phone market, said it had already signed a deal with U.S. carrier Sprint to make the new tablets available to subscribers in the first half of 2008.

“We are preparing for the day when people are carrying computers in their pockets and not phones,” said Nokia vice president Ari Virtanen.

Nokia did not rule out the possibility of also incorporating a cellular radio to the series at some stage in the future but said it would not be with the next product release. That would be a commercial decision not a technical one, said Mr. Virtanen.

Nokia’s tablets are pocket computers that feature short-range WiFi technology and high resolution screens that allow users to surf the web, make Internet Protocol phone calls, and send and receive email and text messages.

Helping to bridge the divide have been Nokia’s most recent mobile phones, such as the N95 and E90, which also sport WiFi and Bluetooth technologies. This means that users can browse the Internet or make phone calls by-passing their cellular carriers’ networks.

Internet tablet sales are steadily increasing although they are still not at mobile phone sales levels, said Mr. Virtanen.

Convergence between mobile phones and computers will continue and Nokia will lead the trend by approaching it both from the mobile phone and computer ends, he said.

“Today’s phones with computer capabilities are still phones at the heart,” he said. “We are making devices with computers at the heart and phone functionality on top.”

Nokia last week announced a corporate strategy shift that moves the company away from being a mobile phone maker and closer to that of an internet services company. This has in fact been a long-held ambition of the company but one which it now acknowledges publicly.

Computer maker Apple’s entry into the phone market may have hastened Nokia’s decision to go public, as may have reports of similar plans by other computer related companies such as Google and Microsoft.

Internet Lifestyle in a Tablet : Nokia N800 Internet Tablet

Product Specifications :
Display: High-resolution touch screen (800 x 480 pixels) with up to 65,536 colors

Connectivity: WLAN: 802.11b/g, Bluetooth v2.0, 3.5mm AV connector and USB 2.0 (mini jack)

Battery Life: 3.5 hours (Browsing), 13 days (Standby)

Dimensions: 75 x 144 x 13 mm

Weight: 206g

If you need a trusty companion that can satisfy your daily dose of the Internet when you're out and about, the new Nokia N800 Internet Tablet could be it. Replacing the outgoing N770 Internet Tablet, the updated model is also born to provide consumers with a product that they can use to complement their mobile lifestyle.

Good Things comes Rolling Together
First sighted and announced at the Las Vegas CES Summit in January 2007, it has taken Nokia about a good half a year to make ready the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet for retail. Making up for its lack of conventional telephony function, there is now an integrated webcam that can be utilized for video conferencing and Skype functions. The latter in particular, is one of the strong suits of the device; in the same way as its desktop and notebook equivalents, the Skype application in the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet also lets you save on costly international IDD calls by making calls through the Internet when you're overseas.

Though the latest Nokia handheld resembles an UMPC, its operating system is not your usual Microsoft flavor. Instead, to make it more affordable, the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet uses Linux, but rest assured that the installed version is not the least bit frightening to use.

Being a new model, the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet brings with it much more than just wireless Internet browsing via Wi-Fi. Most notably, the build quality is a marked improvement, giving the impression that it'll survive the rigors of traveling and commute easily. Even the styling is more pleasing to the eye, but above all, there is now a pretty fast 330MHz processor under the LCD screen, which should return a snappier experience than the old model.

Storage on the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet is handled by not one, but two SD card expansion slots, allowing it to provide room for files upwards of 8GB. To maximize space however, one of the slots is located internally and under the battery.

Looking Beyond
Being a portable device, screen size was always going to be an issue, particularly for old folks and those with hyperopia. For the majority of the population and its intended group of users however, they should find the screen size to be just right. Due to its design, the bulk of interaction with the tablet is done through the touch screen and stylus. Buttons can still be found, but these are mostly for triggering common functions such as zoom, scroll, back and desktop.

It wouldn't take long for anyone to start appreciating the visual quality of the 4.13-inch QVGA screen – same as the Sony PSP. Clarity remains even under direct sunlight, which is good news given the tablet is meant to be carried around. Also a delight to the eyes is the improved design that is now sleeker and more avant-garde – thanks to the chrome lining running along the edges.

In using the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, the Maemo platform was not just a joy to use but also extremely cost efficient. The latter can be explained by the strong, ongoing community development whereby active contributions provide free software upgrades and enhancements that are both streamlined and complementary to the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet. Under real world usage, applications were loaded without stretching our patience. Video playback was the one real gripe as it was a mostly choppy affair, indicating perhaps a need for a faster processor in future revisions.

Other than that, the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet was a smooth performer with all major mainstream multimedia formats. Worth noting is that audio and video files could actually be streamed wirelessly. Unfortunately, since the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet is not geared for office productivity, you will not find any software provision for common office documents. On the upshot, a PDF reader is available out of the box for viewing PDF documents.

The one usage that really brings out the best in the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet is mobile Internet. Other than the obvious lack of a keyboard, browsing the Internet was actually a very intuitive experience. Popular sites such as Digg, Flickr, CNN, BBC and MySpace were all loaded very quickly with no notable hiccups. So too was RSS, Email and Instant Messaging – tested using Google Talk and Skype.

Last but not Least
For what it's capable of, the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet is very competitively priced at about S$698. Some might be quick to disagree but when you consider that applications for the device are constantly being developed by an enthusiastic community, possibilities with the tablet is almost next to infinite.

In simple terms, the beauty of owning a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet is that you'll never have to be in a compromising situation of either lugging around a notebook or straining your eyes while browsing the Internet on your Pocket PC/mobile phone. If it's just a casual Internet lifestyle and communication you seek, all you need are a bag, your mobile phone, and the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet.

Six Months with the Nokia N800

Every now and then, it's time to take stock of what we have kicking around the Gadget Lab, asking the tough questions: Do we really need this samurai sword? And what is that giant bag of marshmallows for anyway? Same goes for our, ahem, satellite offices. Since I'm working from home this AM, I decided to take inventory. My eyes fell upon the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, which I've been holding onto for six months now. I usually try to send things back after a month, but sometimes I'll call up the company and ask nicely for an extension. Is this such a case? Is it a must-have component of my gadget arsenal, or, as many critics have said, a solution without a problem? Here’s how I use it:

Its form factor is perfect for the kitchen counter, so I use it to hop on my home Wi-Fi network and read the NY Times while eating breakfast. Beats wrastlin' another editor for one of the few copies we get at the office.

I Bluetooth-pair it with my cellphone and catch up on my RSS feeds while riding the bus to work, simultaneously impressing all the ladies with my gadgetman mojo.

I call my buddies in Ireland using Gizmo Project VOIP, which is like Skype but with better sound quality. It lets me really hear that Guinness-induced slurring.

Since its little kickstand lets it sit upright, I balance the N800 on my workbench and cruise the guzzitech.com forums for advice while working on my less-than-reliable classic Italian motorcycle.Quite frankly, I could do all of these things with a laptop. But a laptop is too large to throw in my bag everywhere I go, a feature I'll be mentally high-fiving tomorrow at the DMV.

Add to that a modern laptop's propensity to get front-of-pants-scorchingly hot (no thank you) and suck a battery dry in less time than it takes me to make my way to the food section, and the N800 seems a lot less like a niche device and more like a luxury item to which I've become dangerously accustomed. So, uhm, Nokia: do you mind if I hold onto this thing for a little longer?

Emirates Computers launches Nokia's N800 Internet Tablet in the Middle East

Emirates Computers today announced the launch of the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet in the UAE. The sleek, widescreen Nokia N800 Internet Tablet combines seamless wireless connectivity with a host of advanced features, for anytime, anywhere internet access.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Khaldoun Al Shamaa, Business Development and Marketing Manager at Emirates Computers, said,

"We are delighted to introduce the much awaited Nokia N800 Internet Tablet for the first time in the Middle East. The slim and lightweight Nokia N800 supports a wide variety of applications and allows you to quite literally carry the Internet in your pocket. We believe that users will thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the high-performance, ultra-portable N800 with its myriad of free applications and ergonomic, user-friendly design.'

The N800 represents the ultimate portability, integrating the internet into daily life for a new level of connectivity. The ultra-sensitive touch-screen and handwriting recognition features provide an intuitive user interface.

Users can enjoy an extraordinary multimedia experience thanks to the integrated multimedia capabilities, high-resolution display and high audio quality speakers. The device comes with a host of free, built-in applications that provide easy access to everything from internet radio and instant messaging to web browsing and email.

Users can also take advantage of internet calling with video or conduct video conferences with the integrated web camera. A wide variety of freely downloadable open-source applications further enhance this Linux-based device, such as the Maemo Mapper, a free GPS software that allows it to be used as a convenient personal navigation system.

Other applications include Orb, which lets users instantly enjoy digital media providing total connectivity to stream photos, music, video and TV. The Nokia N800 is available at all Emirates Computers outlets, Emirates Computers Nokia Concept stores and select Nokia resellers.

Nokia N800 Gets Skype

Nokia has brought Skype to its N800 Internet Tablet, enabling VoIP calling anywhere users can get a wireless Internet connection.

Nokia has announced that is has launched Skype VoIP calling on its N800 Internet Tablet, enabling users to place VoIP calls anywhere in the world they can access the Internet via Wi-Fi. And, of course, Skype users can access their Skype address books, and even place video calls using the service.

"Skype is the recognized leader in internet calling, with more than 196 million registered users worldwide," said Ari Virtanen, Nokia's VP of Convergence Products, in a statement. "The Nokia N800 gives people easy access to the Internet and it's a natural step that they will want to make Skype calls away from their desktop."

The Skype application for the N800 will be available as a download for existing users with the feature upgrade release to the latest OS 2007 edition. The upgrade also includes support for Adobe Flash 9 content and adds support for larger-capacity memory cards. The download is available to existing N800 users, and N800 devices available at retail and the Skype online store will also feature download links.

Nokia N800 Internet Tablet Receives Major Upgrade

The actual hardware is going to remain unchanged for the time being, but this latest firmware update provides the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet with a whole whack of new goodies.

By far the most notable upgrade is the includes of Skype support, providing the device running Internet Tablet OS 2007 Edition with a little chattiness to go with its web surfing capabilities.

You'll also find Flash 9 browser support, love for 8GB memory cards, an integrated Rhapsody music player, and vastly improved touchscreen sensitivity.

They say that this last bit will make you "able to work your way around the menu much easier than before."

Through a little tweaking, Nokia was also able to provide the N800 with better battery life.

If you thought the Nokia N800 was hot before, wait until you check out the upgraded version. That's hot.

Bend Nokia's N800/770 To Your Will

Modern handhelds are like 1980s supercomputers, miniaturized and crippled at the whim of operating systems that loathe you. Refitting the beast within is a major element of owernship when buying anything that's better than free, but you don't have to worry about the Nokia N800 and N770 internet phone tablet thingies: Mike Steff's done it for you.

"I was asked if it would be possible to "brand" and completely configure the Nokia 770 for a specific company with a specific set of applications. It took a while but I got it done."

That's right: a complete custom system package, from the ground up. It's like owning a Zaurus all over again!