Nokia Internet Tablets

A sample photo taken with the N800's VGA camera
(photo by jarrodtrainque - CC-BY)

A WiMAX variant is available, which adds WiMAX connectivity to the N810.

None of the devices is a mobile phone, although all of them are designed to tether with a mobile phone using the Bluetooth DUN profile (a workaround is available to use the Bluetooth PAN profile instead).

The screen measures 4.13 inches diagonally and has a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels. The screen size represents a tradeoff: if it was any larger the devices would no longer be easily pocketable; if it was any smaller the browser would not be able to render web pages in the same way as a desktop computer.
 
Left: Nokia N800 Internet Tablet (photo by NOTICIAS-TIC - CC-BY)
Right: Nokia 770 Internet Tablet (photo by akaalias - CC-BY)

Software

The internet tablets run Internet Tablet OS, based on Linux. This can be updated by re-flashing the device, and from 2008 it is also possible to update online. Regular updates have been made available, with the latest being known as OS2008. The platform as a whole (software together with hardware) is known as Maemo.

The web browser supplied was originally Opera, but recent updates (from 2008) provide the Mozilla-based MicroB. Macromedia Flash and JavaScript are supported.

In addition the browser, Nokia includes software for contact management, music and video, file management, image viewing, RSS feed reading, chat, calculator, clock, note-taking, PDF viewing, sketching, backup/restore, internet radio, etc. Additional software can beinstalled to work with the camera, microphone and FM radio (depending on the model).

Software is readily downloadable for mapping, VOIP calling (including Skype except on the 770), games, etc. Much Linux software can be adapted to run on the tablets (KDE, XTerm, Evolution, OpenOffice, etc). There are also emulators for various older systems including Palm and Newton.

Nokia Internet Tablet running OpenOffice.org Writer (screenshot by Qole Tech - CC-BY)

Connectivity

Connection to the internet may be made in several ways: by Wi-Fi, or by using a mobile phone as a Bluetooth modem (using the Bluetooth DUN profile, although a workaround is available to use the PAN profile instead). The WiMAX edition of the N810 adds WiMAX connectivity.

Any number of connections can be defined, and can be configured to be started manually or to start automatically. The connectivity is transparent to applications that are using it.

Input Methods

A stylus or the fingers are used instead of a mouse. A long press is equivalent to a right-click. Some software supports the use of fingers with modifications such as wider scroll-bars; in other cases it might be necessary to use a fingernail rather than the tip of the finger when working with small interface elements.

An on-screen keypad pops up whenever user input is required. Two variants are available - one with small keys designed for use with the stylus, and one with larger keys which is preferred by many for use with fingers.

A further alternative is handwriting input. On the N810 only, a slide-out keyboard can also be used.

The input method is transparent to the applications that are using it.

In addition, applications can query the state of a dozen or so buttons on the device.