WSJ sez Nokia 770 followup to feature Google Talk

We've known since February that Nokia was working on a QWERTY-sportin' followup to the 770 Internet tablet, and now the Wall Street Journal has confirmed that the included VoIP app will indeed be, as we anticipated, Google Talk. Unfortunately this means that the device will still be unable to call regular phone numbers out of the box, although G Talk members will at least be able to chat among themselves for free. The WSJ is also reporting (only to its subscribers, not to us) that sources close to Nokia have said that the new device will be officially unveiled on Tuesday, and sell for around $390 when it hits stores.

[khamel @ May 12th 2006 4:46PM]

thank god i didn't buy the 770 last week. can someone please tell me compusa won't be the only b&m that sells these things? the compusa in downtown chicago is easily the worst run store i have ever been in.

[smudley @ May 12th 2006 5:09PM]

cnbc was just featuring this little bugger less than an hour ago... wifi was mentioned for phone calls.
not sure about the specifics

[Dan (thoughtfix) @ May 12th 2006 5:16PM]

This is the third step in my "Google Life Dream" that I initially wrote Feb. 1. This is the FIRST indication that Google is working directly with Nokia on it.

But thenm it's only natural. Here's the essay originally written Feb 1.

http://thoughtfix.blogspot.com/2006/02/google-life-or-why-google-should-be.html

[bob spancer @ May 12th 2006 5:33PM]

lookout apple, google is coming to cream on your crop

[Nichi Lemei @ May 12th 2006 6:04PM]

This is so cool. I just got myself an Nokia E61 but I want one of these as well.

[Alric Lopez @ May 12th 2006 6:34PM]

How is this different from a PPC with Skype; except lack of apps?

[Nathan Fritz @ May 12th 2006 6:39PM]

I think you're statement about only being able to talk to Google Talk users is ignorant and harmful. Google Talk uses XMPP/Jabber, the only decent open standard for IM. There are many more Jabber servers that work with Google Talk because Jabber is a federated network. On top of that, there are several VoIP solutions that are working on tying Jabber-Jingle (Google's VoIP) into other VoIP networks such as Asterisk and thus normal phone lines.

[DacmonJ @ May 12th 2006 7:05PM]

If this thing gets the other improvements needed (a little more horsepower, better email and browser apps, etc) it is going to be a $390 killer compared to the new UMPCs that MS and Samsung are trying to sell for $1100.

[sygyzy @ May 12th 2006 7:53PM]

Nathan Fritz - It's pretty obvious that Engadget means that you will only be able to talk BY VOICE to other Google Talk users. The fact that GTalk TEXT chatting is through Jabber is irrelevant.

[Gunnar @ May 12th 2006 10:06PM]

I assume the 770 followup is still going to run Linux. Does this mean Google will port Google Talk to Linux?

[mongmong @ May 12th 2006 11:43PM]

AFAIK next week just the software upgrade with VOIP Nokia promised when they launched 770. Google talk (jingle) is just one of the protocols supported with VOIP upgrade. No skype thou, its propiertary tech, but skype is free to port their own code the n770. The Google buzz here is larger co-operation, Nokia will add google search input to main screen and various Google services to the default bookmarks to 770.

[Kevin Fox @ May 13th 2006 2:27AM]

syzygy: Perhaps you should go back and re-read Nathan's post. He talks specifically about VOiP gateways being developed using Jabber-Jingle (Jabber-standardized VoIP).

[cybe @ May 13th 2006 3:10AM]

That picture is photoshopped...

[jp @ May 13th 2006 3:31AM]

This probably goes in with the fact that Google is going to be porting several of its apps to Linux - most through WINE but GTalk specifically native. That's according to this article http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS9556554213.html. Oh and btw
That picture is photoshopped...
Well duh!

[Deluxe @ May 13th 2006 5:15AM]

Good one, Cybe. You've got a real talent for spotting the obvious and intentional.

[bobmutch @ May 15th 2006 7:27AM]

Well, I will be putting my 770 up for sale and getting the new model. Kind of funny, I waited and waited and then bought. Now after I bought they do their new model release.

[macewan @ May 15th 2006 9:23AM]

The obvious question for me is when did Google make a Linux client Google Talk?

[emu.wii @ May 16th 2006 6:01PM]

I don't understand why all of the Nokia's smart phones come out so clumsy and big. Don't they see that slim line like V3 is the way to go.