Nokia N800 Internet Tablet

There's something refreshing about a portable device that doesn't try to be everything-and instead focuses on a couple of key features. Such is the case with Nokia's second-generation N800 Internet Tablet. It was designed to provide a near-desktop-quality Web browsing experience through a Wi-Fi connection that's easy to set up. It also lets you stay in touch through Voice-over-IP calling with Google Talk, e-mail, instant messaging, and even video calls. Although some users might find its features too pared down and its price a little high, it's still a handy device for surfing the Web. 
 
As an upgrade to the Nokia 770, this new version has improved in several ways. Starting with design, the N800 looks slicker and is more streamlined than its predecessor. At 0.8 ounces lighter and 0.2 inches wider, the N800 sports a stereo speaker that flanks the bottom and wraps halfway around the sides of the vibrant 4.1-inch touchscreen. Nokia replaced the black front cover that graced the 770 with a matte silver finish. The five-way scroll button is located on the top-left side of the screen. Below the scroll button are the escape, menu, and swap keys, which are too slippery and could use more tactile feedback. The top panel includes four small buttons for zoom in/zoom out, full-screen mode, and power. When the media player is active the zoom in/out buttons act as volume controls.
 
On the left panel, Nokia added a 640 x 480-pixel resolution webcam that rotates 180 degrees. Popping out the camera automatically starts the video call function. Too bad the camera doesn't capture photos. The audio and video quality of our VoIP call via Google Talk was acceptable, though the video was sometimes choppy. Extending the desk stand reveals the microSD Card slot, which unfortunately lacks a spring mechanism for ejecting the memory card.
 
Typing using the onscreen keyboard was less of a hassle than we expected, as you can zoom in and increase the size of the letters to prevent typos. You can also write with the 3.6-inch-long, triangular stylus and use the N800's optical character recognition, but you'll need to train the device for best results. If you prefer to use a standalone Bluetooth keyboard, you can pair the N800 with certain models, including Nokia's Wireless Keyboard.
 
If you simply want to scroll around and browse the Web, the N800 delivers. Thanks to the Opera 8 browser, Wi-Fi, and the crisp screen, viewing and loading Web pages was a very pleasant experience. Sites such as BBC, CNN, MySpace, and others loaded within a few seconds. We also enjoyed watching movie trailers, music videos, and homemade clips on YouTube, although the video streams were often sluggish and pixelated. We couldn't watch videos from CNN.com, because the Linux OS doesn't support the Windows Media Video format. Nokia says you can run WMV files using the MPlayer applet that's available through Maemo (www.maemo-apps.org). The N800 delivered better audio quality than the 770, but it could use more volume and bass.
 
If you're not within Wi-Fi range, you can connect to the Internet using a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone that's linked to a data plan. We paired our cell phone and a Treo without a hitch. Pages load more slowly on a Bluetooth cell phone connection, but it's better than nothing.
 
On the messaging side, the device supports POP3 and IMAP4 e-mail clients; we set up an IMAP4-based e-mail account. Users can set the device to retrieve messages at specific intervals. Although there's USB connectivity to a PC, the N800 won't automatically sync your e-mail; you can drag and drop files, though. For instant messaging, we chatted with friends and colleagues on the Google Talk network. Alternatively, you can use Jabber IM.
 
Nokia includes an RSS reader, PDF reader, image viewer, games, and Internet radio through AccuRadio. We also loaded a couple of Virgin Radio channels and a media-streaming app that runs Rhapsody (the N800 supports UPnP). Loading PDFs with large photos and high-resolution graphics took a while, but there's an option to view the files without the images.
 
Nokia added a contact list that makes sending e-mail and IMs easy. Overall, though, the device has few installed programs, and it doesn't support Microsoft Office applications. Developers are creating additional software for the open-source Linux platform. (Visit Maemo.org for details.) Nokia is also working with Skype for VoIP calls (no launch date yet, according to Nokia) and Navicore for GPS navigation (estimated availability this month). Nokia estimates the N800 will last up to three hours with continuous use and up to ten days on standby. Our test unit lasted as promised.
 
Some users might find the $399 price a little high for the N800's capabilities. But if this price suits your budget and if your top priorities are Internet access, e-mail, and instant messaging, this device is a decent alternative to a PDA or smart phone.

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