Next-gen Nokia 770 could sport webcam, WiMax

Those of you who were disappointed to learn that Nokia eschewed that rumored QWERTY thumb board for a less functional on-screen keyboard in the recent 770 software bump will be pleased to hear that a new interface method is just one of several changes the company is looking at for its next-generation of Internet tablets. In discussing the future of the 770 line with Cnet, Nokia's VP of convergence Ari Virtanen also mentioned that a webcam could be part of the equation, as one of the company's goals with this lineup is to duplicate the fixed Internet experience on a mobile device. And although cellphone radios are still not expected to find their way into these new products-- Virtanen said that Nokia wants to keep some of its offerings out of the "cellular value chain" -- their absence may not be actually be missed that much if the company goes ahead and includes WiMax as it's also said to be considering.

[willyjsimmons @ Jun 22nd 2006 2:27PM]

No mention of Nokia exiting the CDMA market??

For Shame Engadget!!!

[john @ Jun 22nd 2006 2:51PM]

I received a 770 from my wife for father's day, and kept it a whole 2 days. It was extremely buggy (the clock always displayed 3 hours ahead) and would crash consistently. I was never able to use it for more than 5 minutes before being greeted with a big blue Nokia logo, signifying another reboot. After reading up on some forums and at Nokia's own support site, it sounds like these are known issues. Hope they are addressed in the next release, because I like the idea and form factor, but for now, it's back to the ol' x51v for browsing on the couch.

[rick gregory @ Jun 22nd 2006 2:52PM]

"Nokia eschewed that rumored QWERTY thumb board for a less functional on-screen keyboard in the recent 770 software bump "

Er, kinda hard to deliver hardware via software updates, isn't it?

A thumboard would be nice and definitely make the device more interactive. It doesn't need to be a cell though - I mean, come on - who'd want to be caught dead holding a 770 to their ear? Now, if they'd bring Skype to it... (yes, I know about GTalk - but no one uses it...)

[tool @ Jun 22nd 2006 3:16PM]

Instead of skype, I would like an open source solution based on standards. Maybe OpenWengo?
Now if there’s a way to have a webcam and a micro plugged in a nice way, here’s my new webphone.

[Alex @ Jun 22nd 2006 3:16PM]

Really sorry to completely threadjack guys, but I just wanted to shove in the idea of a podcast.

It has been a month since the last one - you were doing so well, so many in a row...

[rick gregory @ Jun 22nd 2006 3:26PM]

tool,

Open would be nice, but it might suffer the same problem as GTalk (based on Jabber, remember) - people don't use it. Bottom line is that I need to communicate with the people in my network, so ultimately what we need is support for multiple solutions... MSN, AIM, YahooIM, SIP VoIP...

[MrFloppy @ Jun 22nd 2006 3:26PM]

QWERTY? Who needs that?
They're ugly and uncomfortable.

[Historian @ Jun 22nd 2006 3:32PM]

rick,

It should be noted that many Jabber servers support the transports for Yahoo, MSN, ICQ, et al. And you can choose to use that server as well or instead in the 2006Beta update for the 770.

[Joseph @ Jun 22nd 2006 4:03PM]

hahaha stupid quickcam hahaha

[Matt @ Jun 22nd 2006 8:24PM]

I'm just wondering if they're going to rev the 9500 Communicator. I may actually hold of on the Sidekick 3 if there's a new Communicator coming.

[Thomas @ Jun 23rd 2006 1:24AM]

It sounds good, but I really dont like the design.

[Intrepid @ Jun 23rd 2006 9:05AM]

Symbian......... where is your Windows Mobile Nokia??? That's what people want these days - just look at the ever growing sales!

[Brad Pitcher @ Jun 23rd 2006 11:20AM]

"I need to communicate with the people in my network, so ultimately what we need is support for multiple solutions... MSN, AIM, YahooIM, SIP VoIP."

That's the great thing about tapioca (the app that was ported to the 770 to be used for google talk). It uses the farsight library which aims to provide an A/V framework for all protocols. Maybe nokia will help speed up the development on that project?

[chaos @ Jun 23rd 2006 4:12PM]

This PDA on steroids will never catch on. What the hell are the Execs of these companies thinking? I don't see anyone carrying around a half-assed laptop for basic needs a PDA or laptop can do just fine. They need to improve those before trying to come out with new stuff.

[Michael Daly @ Jul 4th 2006 11:07PM]

I just got a new 770, it is very nice. the Nokia 770 worked with the www.instantstream.com Streamphone software and I was able to make wireless video phone calls right out of the box. Thanks Nokia, this summer when I visit China I will be able to make wireless video phone calls at less than 2 cents a minute.


PS I want to find the best webcam for it... so if anyone has any suggestions please send me a note.