Surprisingly, the talented £245
Nokia N770 Internet Tablet hasn't featured too much as a possible device for educational use in these pages. Unlike most of Nokia's product line this device doesn't use a cellular mobile phone connection to the Internet. Rather it uses WiFi, combined with a high resolution screen (800 x 480 px - 5.5" x 3.1" size) running the, Linux based, Internet Tablet 2005 operating software with Opera Browser with Flash player. Potentially as an intelligent thin client it might be an ideal device to deliver web or Internet based learning materials, although the device is let down by it's battery life which is in the region of 3 hours while browsing.
Nokia have now teamed up with Google (who's search engine is arguably one of the worlds largest e-learning tools) to include
Google Talk with the latest software upgrade to the N770. Google Talk is Googles response to Skype and brings Instant Messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) to the N770 thus allowing free Internet telephony.
Given the general pre-occupation of the industry with smartphones, i.e. mobile phones with PDA functionality, it's an interesting departure to see a major manufacturer drop the cellular GSM connection in exchange for WiFi and VoIP.
More information via
Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Nokia, the world's top mobile phone maker, will unveil on Tuesday a new version of its Internet tablet device that runs Google Talk communications software, sources familiar with the plans said on Friday.
The pact between the Finnish company and Web search leader Google Inc. would offer consumers the ability to chat with other users of instant messaging software via the Nokia Wi-Fi device, which relies on short-range wireless networks.
The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, introduced last year, offers wireless access to digital music and video playing on a high-contrast color screen, as well as to check e-mail, surf the Web and read computer documents or play video games.
At a press conference to be held in Stockholm on Tuesday, Espoo, Finland-based Nokia will introduce a new version of the Internet Tablet with upgraded software and hardware elements, one source said.
Nokia's 770 is available worldwide via its Web site. The 770 is a rectangular, 5.5-inch by 3.1-inch device with a big color screen that is slightly bigger than a mobile phone. It has a retail list price of around $400 in the United States.
In contrast to phones, the Nokia 770 relies on unregulated local wireless connections rather than cell phone networks.
Google Talk, which allows users to chat via text or to talk with other instant message users, will be one of the featured applications on the Nokia Internet Tablet, a second source confirmed.
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