The Nokia Tablet

Within the last few hours Nokia has announced the 770, a Linux based Internet Tablet, complete with Bluetooth (v1.2) and Wi-fi (802.11b - slomo...). But, and this is a bit peculiar... there's no cellular connectivity option of any kind, i.e. there's no mobile phone.

According to MobileBurn Nokia "envisions the 770 as an inexpensive [...] and convenient replacement for the 2nd or 3rd PC a family might have at home."

I don't doubt that that's the case, but I wonder why Nokia would completely exclude its cellular knowledge from the 770. As a move in to a home/office market where VoIP rules, and most of us have a Bluetooth enabled phone, I guess it might make sense. But I still feel that Nokia missed an opportunity for a competetive advantage over other similar products.

The inclusion of a feed reader in the slim pre-installed software package makes the 770 useful as an "instantly on" piece of kit for most people. Wonder if it supports podcasting? It most certainly should. If not, well, that limits its appeal for more advanced users.

Still, I'm happy about these new and fairly surprising products, and product categories, that are popping up at the moment. PalmOne's dedication to "mobile managers", i.e. the LifeDrive, fits in this category. Companies are thinking outside their boxes a little bit. Fun fun.

Give me a week or so and I'll take a look at the 770 from a productivity point of view too.

Copyright © Nokia 2005