N800 Internet Tablet- anyone else curious about this thing at all?

[nlkccom]

Got a N800 and a 8GB sd card coming in a few days. Can't wait!

I want to be able to rip a few dvds and put them on the N800. I heard the quality is very good.

[pseudofinn]

Yes, the quality of the demo video that comes pre-loaded on the device looks fantastic. I haven't converted anything that will play on mplayer, canola or the included media player yet. I'm a big fan of portable video players- so it's really a feature I'd like to get working. I'm still a bit disappointed that the MP4s converted for the N95 won't play... I mean, this is an NSeries device.... somehow.

[salada2k]

The thing that interests me the most is that it runs Linux. It think that surely must leave the device open to a lot of possibilities? I'd love to be able to practice my linux skills on a device I could put in my pocket.

Pseudo, have you tried running anything like webservers, ftp servers and the like? If so, how do they perform?

What else can this thing do??

[pseudofinn]

I haven't much experience with linux- and don't really mess with webservers or ftps- but I'm more than willing to give an attempt at anything you'd like... Just let me know! You're right, the fact that this thing runs linux really makes it quite versatile and capable of doing many things. The possibilities are endless. For a linux user, this would be a really cool device. Unfortunately, I never really investigated the whole linux thing- I'm really wishing I had now!

[krisse]

I did a feature article for All About Symbian going over all the reasons why I think the N800 is, in many everyday situations, superior to a smartphone:

AAS Feature: The Nokia N800 and Semi-Convergence

Speaking personally, during my weeks with it I found the tablet much much more convenient than a smartphone on long train journeys (it connects through my bluetooth phone) as it renders pages very quickly and accurately, is much easier to browse with, the screen is much bigger and easier to read, and it's easier to do things like listen to internet radio.

I also found the tablet much more convenient than PCs for casually looking at the internet at home, especially checking up on one or two things quickly, or keeping tabs on something throughout the day. It was also like a sort of status bar for my desk, it tells me if there's new gmail, IMs etc without taking up space, and I could leave it on my bedside table if I wanted to check stuff in the morning.

On the other hand, the smartphone is king in situations where you're not expecting to need its features. It's smaller and more likely to always with you, and ensures you're always within reach of a connected computer. It's the IT equivalent of the emergency services, in a way, always there to guarantee your connectedness.

There's been one unusual tablet-related twist that I didn't expect: a technophobic relative of mine (who is otherwise perfectly intelligent in non-tech matters) has serious problems with computers, and for the past ten years has regularly bombarded me with tech support type phone calls (don't worry, it's all good natured, but there were a lot of calls). Mostly on a hunch, I recently suggested they try getting an N800 tablet. The tech support calls stopped. Completely. Miracle.

The only explanation I have is that the relative almost exclusively used their PC for web browsing, and it could be that they found it much easier to cope with a user interface that is built around the browser rather than the applications. The relative is less specific about why they cope, they just say it's easier to access things on the N800 than on their PC. :-)

(Going slightly off-topic, this experience makes me not only see the N800 in a totally different light, it also makes me think the time is now right for cheap browser-only console-style set top boxes which display the web on people's televisions. I know this idea was a complete failure in the 1990s, but many important things have changed since then: standard definition TV is being replaced by PC-resolution HDTV, flat rate cheap broadband is widely available, computing hardware is even cheaper and smaller, and things like the Nintendo Wii controller (which is also very cheap to make) show how intuitively a cursor can be manipulated on a TV screen even by beginners sitting on a sofa.)

[pseudofinn]

Cheers, krisse- thanks for the insight. I completely agree that another go around at console type web browsers would be far more successful now than were. It's certainly a stong case for a high-quality TV output on an Internet Tablet. I'm kind of suprised that there isn't even an N95 style TV-out on this thing... with a bluetooth keyboard?

The more time I spend with this thing, the more I think about the possibilities... I'm finding new programs all the time that just kinda blow me away. Any gear-heads out there familiar with OBDII? The N800 supports wireless OBDII tools. I'm finding stuff like this everyday. I'm really becoming quite fond of this device- and I have found that it really is a great compliment to the N95.

I had really only thought of it as something that could be deemed practical by a tech nut that just has to have everything, a sort of luxury device for techies- the story about your relative definitely proves that wrong. The value of this device is that it can be so useful to so many different people for so many different reasons.

There are far more practical uses for this device than I had thought possible. I'm going to be quite sad to see the N800 go back next week. Is it relevant- especially to an N95 user? Absolutely. Then again- it depends on what you do on a daily basis as to how well the N800 would fit into your life, just as it is with the N95. The N95 is complete overkill to many and they wouldn't miss some of the high-end features- I wouldn't do without any of them.

Edit- Just read the article over at AAS... I couldn't agree with it more.

[dazza]

i am typing this reply on a 770-wouldn't be without it,the laptop rarely sees the light of day at home nowadays.

[Tommie]

Im also have the N770 and use it permanet as GPS in my car with Navicore maps and it works great.Then the N95 can take a brake ,
I like when N770 screems out >Watch up!! (speedcamera coming in 100m...)

[Tommie]

Update news for N800 > OS 2007 edition v. 4.2007.26-8 includes:

Skype client support

After downloading the new software for the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet and installing Skype, users are ready to make free Internet Calls to other Skype users and low cost calls to landline or mobile phone wherever there is a wireless connection. From coffee shops to offices, to hotels or even on the beach, users will now be able to make Skype calls anywhere they can find a wi-fi hotspot. The Skype user experience familiar from desktop includes also chat, presence, contact details and account management features. The feature upgrade includes easy and quick installer for Skype client.

Adobe® Flash® 9 browser plug-in

Adobe® Flash® 9 browser plug-in has been one of the most wanted features requested by the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet users. The upgrade to Adobe® Flash® 9 browser plug-in opens the door to many rich media websites and considerably improves web usability. It also improves substantially the media performance when using video streaming services.

Up to 8 GB memory card support

More music and more videos imply more memory resources. Memory card support has increased from 2 GB to up to 8 GB, covering most part of the range of memory cards available in the market nowadays.

With two memory card slots the devices memory capability is extendable up to 16 GB. Over 2 GB SD memory cards must be SDHC compatible.

Other Improvements

A lot of work has been done into increasing the battery life of the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet. Most of the improvements have been done around the wireless connection, resulting in remarkably longer online usages.

The new Internet Tablet OS brings some improvements at an application level as well. The most visible change is clarification of Now Playing and Library modes for Media Player. The contents of the cards are also scanned faster than before.

Touch screen sensitiveness has been improved through software enhancements. Now the screen areas with most intensive use register events more efficiently.

Nokia Internet Call Invitation (BETA) application

Nokia Internet Call Invitation (BETA) trial period has ended. The invitation mechanism has been removed and service will not be accessible after 31.8.2007.

New pre-installed content

Tableteer info applet
Updated Internet radio channels
Real Rhapsody player easy installer (available for US. residents only)
Piquant new web sites

Update N800 here Nokia Europe - Software update - Nokia N800 Internet Tablet - Product support - Get support and software