We keep calling it an Internet Tablet like Nokia tells us to, hoping that makes it true. You know what we mean: pop-out keyboard, 3G data, other fancy stuff. All the same, there's definitely a lot to love about Nokia's
N800 followup to the
770, including that peppier 330MHz Texas Instruments processor and built-in webcam. Looks like the general consensus is that the N800 is a well executed device, with a beautiful screen, but just falls short of mass appeal. Notable notable omissions include PIM functionality and PC syncing, and video playback is a bit choppy. Otherwise, the N800 should appeal to heavy internet users and VoIP junkies with $400 burning a hole in their pockets, but don't expect to replace your laptop, PDA or cellphone just yet.
[Thanks,
Eugenia]
Read - CNET (7.7/10)
Read - OSNews (8/10)
Read - MobileCrunch
Read - Brighthand
Read - MobileBurn
Read - New York Times
Read - ThoughtFix
posted Jan 25th 2007 6:06PM
Can anyone out there who has actually used this device for any length of time, provide a more detailed description of just how effective (or ineffective) the n800 is in displaying video clips?
Just bought one of these puppies! I was a bit worried about video playback from what I read in user reviews that I saw everywhere. From what I read, I concluded that with the right video player it would be fine. I was right! I prefer DIVX encoded video using MPlayer. The video is outstanding with the N800's 800x480 screen. Like a mini plasma screen! ;-)
Firstly, upgrade the N800 to OS2008, very easy to do with the utility available from Nokia.
Next, install MPlayer from the applications menu.
Then, download some movie trailers or whatever from a site called Stage6 to test out.
There is a DVD to DIVX converter available from the DIVX website and there are many others available from other developers.
Conclusion: Yes the N800 handles video well. However, you will have to be willing to convert the videos to a size it can handle. Mplayer is capable of handling most converted files.
Anyone else spot the typo on the screen of the tablet?
I didn't know the Sun browses the internet. Does he visit Engadget?
"Sun" can be a person's name in non-English/Anglo cultures..
Please point out that the camera on the n800 SUCKS. I purchased one and have tested it out.
The advertising suggests the camera is GREAT for video conferencing. You have to hold the device at an angle so you can frame yourself properly? Seriously.
Dreams come true: I made Engadget's front page.
Thanks for the link!
I have had the N800 since the day it came out.
Honestly I feel the device is more of a toy than a useful device. Very rarely has it actually been able to "save the day" over my Nokia 6131 phone (relating to internet usefulness,searches, etc).
My major gripes with it are:
1. Lack of customization of the home page screen
2. Displays some sites very poorly (engadget being the worst)
3. Non-responsive buttons
4. No audio over bluetooth
5. Does not display youtube or google video in a viewable manner
6. No "slideshow" or picture frame application (while the unit is idle, on a desktop, being charged)
7. Poor thumb controls through menus/submenus/pulldowns
8. Text typing with thumbs/stylus has no error correction
9. No calendar application
10. No SIM card slot. Would have been nice as a data device to compliment my phone, as opposed to a teathered bastard wasting battery life on itself and my Nokia, having the reaction time of a specially cared for child, for whom street signs are placed by the county just to give the little bugger a fighting chance when chasing shiny balls).
I really could go on and on. I love Nokia in so many ways, yet after owning the 770 and now the n800, I find this device to be silly at best (Monty Python would agree). The menus dont feel very intuitive, there are buttons not in use on certain pages. The top zoom buttons are much worse than before.
If there is a plus side to all of this ranting, I would say it has improved in a few ways. The stylus, screen touch feel, speed, and usefulness over the previous model is greater in so many ways. If you love the 770, you wont be able to help but love the n800. Sadly though, i wish it was a must carry device, but the ipod still takes the "gadget pocket" on the way out the door.
p.s. Nokia if you read this Im sorry that I dont like your product. I want to, but alas, i cant.
Rob, maybe you aren't aware of this (even owning the 770), but you can get the applications you're talking about at the maemo dev site (especially BT related, like A2DP). This may not appeal to everybody, but it is part of the appeal for this Nokia product line. I would guess Nokia will offer an upgrade soon enough that will smooth out the edges with the bugs you've experienced.
1. Not sure what you're talking about here, you can drag around or remove any of the items on the home screen and even add your own ones if you're feeling adventurous.
2. Engadget displays fine on my device, the giant sidebar is a bit of an irritating, but that's engadget's fault, not the device's
3. Not sure what you're talking about here, either. Yes, the device does slow down when you're doing processor intensive stuff, but so do PCs.
4. Wait 3 months and there'll be a community driver out.
5. Flash 7 blows, Flash 9 just hit Linux, we may be seeing it make it's way to the N800 at some point, but who knows?
6. I can't see myself using something like that, but hop on over to maemo.org and put in an application request.
7. They work fine for me.
8. Input is a bit of a hassle on the device, but keyboards don't have proactive text correction, either.
9. GPE PIM Suite, check it out on maemo.org
10. Wait, why would it include a SIM card slot? Does any non-cellphone device on the planet include a SIM card slot? Send it some vCards over bluetooth or on an SD, then you'll have all the contacts you could ever want.
The device needs work, still, but there's a great community behind it (internettablettalk.com and maemo.org) and it's improving every day and it sure as hell browses the web better than any other mobile device I've used.
Rob, you can also play free online Flash games on your N800 browser - go to http://www.gamoku.com The website and the games are optimized for devices like the 770, N800 and Pocket PCs phones and PDAs.
I generaly agree with Ryan, but lets take a different angle here...
1. you can add applets, you can move applets around. more than an iPaq gives you.
2. some sites are not coded to handle 800px wide, and again, way better than an iPaq
3. which ones? maybe they don't do anything, or at least not what you's expect, in the context? and from the iPaq's I've used, the d-pad is WAY better
4. no I think there is bt audio, maybe you need to install somethign off maemo.org? I odn't have a headset so i can't verify but I know I saw something about it
5. pester Adobe to release something newer than Flash 6 for ARM devices. iPaq also suffers here.
6. I would like the todo or calendar to display. put a feature reqest in for the app you want to use, it is technicaly possible.
7. no worse than the ipaq
8. WAY better than an iPaq.
9. go to maemo.org, click Applications, pick one of the 3 there.
10. how many non-cell phone devices have SIM slots? and what's wrong with bluetooth for data over cell?
Feel free to replace "iPaq" with any non-smartphone device of the same dimensions and price range as the n800. I think you'll find the Nokia more configurable and usable and the things you claim are missing are easily installed for free.
Two more reviews:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9009098&intsrc=hm_list
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/103044/first-look-nokias-iphone-killer.html
> The device needs work, still, but there's a great
> community behind it (internettablettalk.com and
> maemo.org) and it's improving every day and it sure as
> hell browses the web better than any other mobile
> device I've used.
I didn't mind the N770 needing more work because it worked somewhat well and I "knew" more development was being done to iron out the rough spots. Unfortunately with Nokia's release of the N800, they've decided to drop support for the N770... which makes me wary of purchasing another tablet for $400 and having it abandoned for the next hardware release.
Nokia: Either stop charging full price for beta products or give your N770 customers a discount on the N800. Not everyone is interested in spending $400/year to have the fixes.
they definately took a step back in the design dept. thing is just fugly. looks like a 70's transistor radio. those holes will fill up with dirt in no time too. plus the buttons are crap, the 770 buttons are nicer. wish archos would open up the 604wifi, or just add a new model with a higher screen rez.
I think they have a one-up on everyone else now........ messaging The Sun.
Why would anyone want this when you can get the iPhone for $100 more?
No contract is a big reason for me.
you can't get the iPhone right now. you can't add apps to the iPhone. you can't do VOIP on the iPhone. no vnc, no irc, no gaim, no doom, no tetris, no gnumeric, no abiword, no xterm, no ssh...
these are not compairable devices. the iPhone is a fancy phone, the n800 is a small PC that you can carry around in your pocket.
I have read that there is absolutely no Java support for this device, is that true? Also, do google apps work on it without hiccups (maps, calendar, gmail, and so on)? And finally, how about heavily "AJAX" power applications like Zimbra, or Wordpress (actually publishing, not viewing)?
Basically everything I do for work and play in terms of my own content management and organizing of my life is online, and as long as I can access those web apps this thing will be amazing.
In response to Cullen:
• Regarding Google: Google Maps, Mail and even Reader (via readermini.com, which works quite well, IMHO) work well. (Check out the video to see how it stacks up against the built-in RSS Reader. Not sure about Calendar, but I don't see why not.
• I use WordPress myself and it seems to work splendidly. (Running on 2.1)
For my own two cents:
• I love my N800 as I am an RSS fiend and love to know I am updated constantly with the latest information. ReaderMini, which I just discovered, allows me to easily manage my feeds and I'm a big fan of the "Flag for Follow-up" feature.
• I'm currently deployed in Iraq, where we have Wi-Fi almost everywhere on our post (it's slow but tolerable.) It's nice to feel a bit closer to home by being constantly connected.
• I can't wait to see the Skype Client (Due Q2 2007) and if it's got full functionality, SkypeOut will certainly be something I use frequently!
• I'm also hoping for a port of Gaim or some other chat client able to connect to the other chat networks, including AOL/AIM, .Mac, MSN and Yahoo! (Though I don't use them all, I'm certain a much greater user base could be established if this was supported.) Alas, neither meebo.com nor AIM Express work for me.
Overall, I'm happy with the N800 and looking forward to future software and hardware developments!
Sharp did the same thing, excpet they dropped support almost right out of the gate. Familiar Linux almost runs well on the n770 so you can be sure it will not end up useless, the community will continue to support it as it has been.
wow. another great design from nokia. ever since they release their N series, the design gets better and better and sexier!!!
cheers,
http://myagloconetwork.blogspot.com
"Rob Fleming", I don´t think you are real or have
really used the device. I think you just wanted
to badmouth it.
I'm a college student and do not have a laptop. I would primarily be using this device to access websites in my spare time. Would this be a good investment if I need my internet access anywhere on campus?
> I'm a college student and do not have a laptop.
> I would primarily be using this device to access
> websites in my spare time. Would this be a good
> investment if I need my internet access anywhere
> on campus?
Yes, the N800 should be ideal for this. The only tricky part maybe logging into your campus network if it runs a VPN but there are scripts available which should get you up and running.
For web browsing the N800 is absolutely superb. I've used VGA (640x480) iPAQs in the past and the lower screen resolution results in an unpleasant browsing experience as most web sites have to be reformatted in order to display, however on the N800 800x480 display pretty much all web sites display without any reformatting or excessive horiztonal scrolling.
Performance and batter life are both excellent - you should get 3hr intensive usage on a full charge, but since the device employs numerous power saving tricks (which you're not aware of, such as powering down WiFi as often as possible) it's easily possible to get 5-6 hours usage on a single charge when surfing normally (ie. load a page, read it for a few minutes [wireless now in low power mode], load a page, etc.).
Tests with MP3 playback has shown the device can last 10 hours straight... and with SDHC support coming soon (a community supplied kernel for the N800 has already added SDHC support) dual 4GB SDHC cards are possible, with dual 8GB cards possible as soon as the cards are on the market!
> No contract is a big reason for me.
You total mong - there's no contract because the N800 is not a phone. Just go away, fool, and buy a Microsoft Smartphone!
> Why would anyone want this when you can get the iPhone for $100 more?
You mean you can actually buy an iPhone? No wait, not for another 5 months (or more). Dude, the N800 is not a phone, and if you want to surf the web on your tiny little low resolution iPhone screen (over a 2G connection no less!) then go right ahead - enjoy the horrible experience that it will undoubtedly be.
I am wondering how useful this thing really is. Most people use their computers at home and at work, so pretty much the only time this internet tablet thing becomes useful is when you are outside on the road, or traveling without a laptop. Before the iPhone, I could understand why people want to have this device for those situations. But the iPhone has a much bigger screen than most of the smartphones, and it's supposed to offer a much better experience when browsing the internet than other smartphones. And it also has WIFI. (Deckard, do your home work before posting wrong information).
So unless you don't use a cell phone, or don't want to use Cingular, buying iPhone makes a lot more sense than buying N800 if you can going to spend $400-500. iPhone can get online with either EDGE or WIFI, whereas N800 only uses WIFI. iPhone is also a cell phone, whereas N800 is not (VOIP still needs WIFI). I know N800 has a bigger screen than iPhone, but I think it's a small compromise considering that iPhone offers more communication options in one small package that you can carry in your pocket all the time. So please tell me why is it a great idea to purchase N800 if you can have the iPhone as a device that will let you make phone calls and get online with more options. If your argument is that you can install a lot of apps on N800, that's fine for you. But for most of the people who don't care about installing apps, iPhone is the best solution and fill their needs to browse the internet on the go.
I also know that iPhone is not out yet, it will come out in June, and I think I can wait until then.
Yeah, I really want 3G on my device, it would be awesome if I had to buy it a separate Internet account. Also, I want it to be bigger to accomodate the extra hardware.
Oh, wait...
I picked up one of these bad boys and an SU-8W bluetooth keyboard and I have been in gadget heaven.
It is great as a laptop alternative for most things I need to do -- and I have vnc installed to access my desktop in the event i need to run something else from the road. I run GAIM for messaging and Gizmo Project for VOIP.
Now I'm looking to ditch my PPC 6700 in favor of a small bluetooth phone with high speed internet so i can use the N800 over its connection. Can anybody recommend a good and small phone that still supports DUN?
Thanks!
Which version of Gaim do I need to install? and is it easy to setup?
the version provide on the maemo.org application list. super easy, a little copy paste and a couple clicks. even easier if you go to teh applications page on teh device, I have it bookmarked :)
There is a version of GAIM for mAemo
(v1.5.0)
you will need to also install the protocols for the messengers you want and in my case I had to install maemo mapper first to install the libxau1 files that GAIM is dependent upon.
Everything installs right through the application manager. Once you find some repositories and enter them into the listing, the available programs will just show up in the application manager. it's pretty slick.
I would expect to see more misleading negative comments like "Rob Fleming." This device could grow to be a laptop replacement for some people. That potential is a terrible threat to anyone with an operating system monopoly who would be losing some "tax revenue." It should be worth their while to pay people to bad mouth it hysterically. It might even be possible to develop a unified anti-n800 message around any laptop replacement functionality.
N800 is hardly pocketable. It's 3 by 6 by 1/2 inch, similar to a paper back. You need a pretty big jacket pocket to hold that, and some very baggy jeans. I am not sure too many people will want to carry this when they can just take out their iPhone to go online anywhere with a cell phone signal, when N800 is useless as an internet device.
> Sharp did the same thing, excpet they dropped
> support almost right out of the gate.
Uh... was the Sharp move a good thing for their device? Probably not.
> Familiar Linux almost runs well on the n770 so you
> can be sure it will not end up useless, the community
> will continue to support it as it has been.
Even if a device runs GNU/Linux, it does not mean that apps are readily available. Porting is still necessary. The browser, Opera, needs to be updated and it's not open source. Flash 9 needs to be ported as well. The N800 will get these updates, but will the N770?
Nokia is busy moving the community of developers to the new API on the N800 (with steep discounts on the N800). This is good for Nokia, the developers, and the future web tablet development... but bad for consumer N770 users, who will be left behind. The N770 is a web tablet and without the latest web technologies, how useful will it be?
It seems a lot of people use their laptops as organizers.
Anyway, I hope nokia was trying to be cute with the 'sun' thing. Despite that knocking them a couple points, anything other explanation would be even worse.
Wooo, hey thoughtfix, you and I both!
http://forums.mobileburn.com on engadget! hahaha, and my thread too - rofl. Yosh! Flying the flag for MB ^_^
Thanks for the heads up MBForums's BenXP (convergencedaily.blogspot.com/)I skimmed this artile - didn't see the links to it :P
@ b - Nice link! I've only found a couple of flash games that work from other sites.
@ Deckard, interesting info about upcoming SDHC support - would it be just up to 8GB or could it go beyond that again? (hmmm - 16GB on the go with the N800 screen. Now if only it could play videos properly :P)
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[btw Mobileburn linked in this article is the forum counterpart; opinions expressed there may/may not be shared by the main site, http://www.MobileBurn.com ]
I do own the unit, I was one of the first people in the US to grab one after the original pics were posted with the Compusa sticker (I was smart enough to call the different stores and have them check the SKU #'s).
My fustration with this unit comes from it having so many good aspects, but none are totally enjoyable. Yes, I can get internet on it, but while roaming around town the WiFi is hit or miss, and the bluetooth to phone is painfully slow (with EDGE, in a major city). Even then there is a connection delay. Why this unit does not have a SIM slot, so it can be used as a seperate internet device (Tmobile Internet plan for example) and not need to piggyback on my phone through bluetooth. Imagine how great the N800 would be if you had a 3g plan or a seperate internet plan. Its not like Nokia doesnt know this technology inside and out.
It gets to the point where you only want to carry so many gadgets with you. I have a 60gig Zen Vision W (for long commutes, xvid, has a wonderful screen yet a corpse of an OS on it), the N800, and my godsend the Nokia 6131. The problem is the n800 is not able to give me quality internet, everywhere I go...but it could have, and thats the point that pains me.
Going back to the OS, I find the lack of options (like in customizing the home page) to be annoying and limited. Yes I know you can move windows around, and resize a few, but there are only so many options, and no options to add new items or install plugins or sorts (out of the box at least, yes I know maemo exists). Another complaint is that the OS can now detect when you are using a finger to choose a menu, but then upon entering 1-2+ submenus the icons go back to small, and you have to grab the stylus again. Why tease with a great idea to just run back into a brick wall.
With wonderful gadgets, like microsoft's media center(ive been on this since 2003, I'll never go back), the iPod, nokia's simple OS40, Nintendo WII, the Nokia 6131's keypad, etc, it amazes me that products come out and it seems like no one has even bothered investing the time into making them work better. The N800 really needs the 3M treatment.
I could easily return mine, but Im not planning on it. I have faith that through some new drivers, 3rd party support, and time that the n800 will become more useful. Lets just hope it doesnt end up like Betafield 2.
Yes, it is very unfortunate that the N800 is not a GSM phone.
Nokia seems to be trying to carve out some recognition of their linux based devices first; not to confuse it with their S60 Smartphones. When they do release the "N990" or whatever that will have 3G, well then there's already going to be a hungry market of people wanting to buy it (because they've been longing for an internet tablet that's also a phone)
It is still early days yet for the N800. Hopefully, quite a few of the "niggles" against it will be fixed/improved, and more 3rd party software will become available.
____________
http://forums.mobileburn.com
Vinh
The 770 is not going to be any less useful in the next few years because it is "left behind" running only Opera 8.02 and Flash 6, that's just preposterous. I can still surf the web perfectly well on a Windows 98 machine running IE4 and Flash 5 (or whatever). In 2009, I would expect to be able to surf the web quite happily using a 770 running OS 2006 - why do you think you *need* the latest technologies? Just so that you can visit youtube.com? :)
Flash-heavy sites are an abomination, and unlikely to proliferate in future due to good taste and sensible design. Opera 8.02 is a reasonably standards-compliant browser and will allow you to access the vast majority of sites. Nokia won't update this app because it is closed source and they have signed device-specific agreements with Opera which apparently prevents them supplying updates "for free" - the same applies to Flash/Adobe. Nokia never gave any commitment to improving Flash or Opera core functionality while the 770 was the flagship product so it's pretty unreasonable to criticise them for not doing so when it's now been supplanted by the N800.
So while Nokia aren't going to continuously refresh the closed-source applications on the 770, they have committed to provide continued support for OS 2006 open-source components on the 770, and are even attempting to back-port OS 2007 to the 770.
To accuse Nokia of "leaving behind" the 770 owners is a little disingenuous, as statements from Nokia will easily prove otherwise. Within reason, Nokia will continue to update the software on the 770, and of course the community can do their bit as well.
Anyway, just thought I'd point that out.
Xinyu - you're a classic Apple fanboy. You can't understand the concept of the N800, which can communicate over WiFi or via Bluetooth over GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, EDGE, HSDPA etc. etc. etc. You, my friend,
have been beguiled by the looks and the promise of the iPhone without actually seeing or experiencing one. Apple stands or falls on account of fools such as yourself.
Good luck with your iPhone (when you can actually buy one). Browsing on such a tiny screen like that isn't much fun, but do keep convincing yourself it's a small compromise when in actual fact it's the biggest compromise you can possibly make with a handheld device. Sadly, you'll only realise this fact once you've slapped down your $500-$600 and suckered yourself into a 2 year contract with seemingly one of the worst cellular operators in the USA.
Good luck, chum[p]!
does this thing have aimmm??
Do I have to worry about virus, worms, troyan horses, etc. etc. infecting the N800? What's the experience of N770 users in this respect? And if there is any danger, are any antivirus programs available?
I'm also a college student but my doubts are different from Kevin's. I was wondering if there is any text processing software available, so I can (using the bluetoth keyboard) successfully take notes of my classes. If so, I'm definitely going to buy one!
I am considering this and a couple of other products (ie. Sony Mylo) The thing that's most important to me is Skype, Yahoo IM, and Yahoo IM voice. I would like a device that's a personal communicator. Has anyone used these applications and have feedback regarding it's quality on the N800?
I'm replying to myself. Lovely.
Anyway, I forgot to mention that as for viewing websites, Engadget and every other web page I have viewed loads fine. (Clearly no über-flashy/streaming video/etc, but whatev, it's not a UMPC (and even those aren't "there" yet.))
Also, take note of the "Optimized View" option you have - it's pretty nifty in some instances, allowing for easier reading of some content.
And, finally, huzzah for SDHC support and the battery life of this thing. Huzzah!
I don't have one of these yet, but they sound interesting. I like the (slightly) larger screen than a typical PDA and the fact that it runs Linux. I am a bit surprised that they are using the OMAP processors from TI. They don't run as fast as the PXA270, but I guess they needed the combo DSP which I am sure they are using for the video.
Is it true that the screen is only 4.1" diagonal? I was hoping for something closer to 5". I don't see how 800 pixels in 3.5" is very usable. That's over 200 dpi. I am sure it makes for a very crisp image, but anything graphical would be so tiny!
Just my two cents worth...
You probably want to think twice, or thrice, about getting this device. Check out this post in particular showing how well service works when you have the touchpad problem being reported around the net for this device:
http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=46179&postcount=96
The only thing that i want to know and that confuses me, do you pay the one time $400 for the n800? or is it like a cell phone or having internet, is there a month to month fee?
Well, as a stand alone replacement for my blackberry or palm...no way.
However with my home page set to my iGoogle portal and my Razr bluetoothed I have the best of both worlds so far. Neither the blackberry or palm have as good a web browser. I can do my gmail quite well on the N800 and my iGoogle calendar sends notices to my Razr.
So until there is a device that does both as well, I don't mind carrying two, if for no other reason than the browser is so much better.
now I haven't played with an iPhone yet so....
I just got the Tablet a few days ago. For some reason I thought that I could get the internet through my cel phone. I have a Blackberry Pearl with Cingular and thought when I did the bluetooth connection I could get the net off my Blackberry data plan. But Cingular says no. So that said, I know I am stupid but I have to buy a seperate plan and pay more money? Can you all tell me what service you all use?
Thanks,
Scott
I really would love to know how to connect to the internet thru bluetooth on my blackberry 8300
anyone know. the reason I bought this was to do that, one of the comments on dell was that if they could not get wi fi they would use there blackberry thru bluetooth to connect to internet
I too have a b-berry Pearl and cant pair N800 with it. . Although intererstingly in an airport recently i searched and found 25 nearby b'tooth devices . . So why cant I get an affectionate reply from my Pearl ??? ...