Nokia N810 firmware leaks, runs on N800

Although we can't see why you'd want to run anything except Palm OS Garnet in emulation on your Nokia N800 tablet, those of you aching for the latest and greatest are getting a little boost -- the firmware for the N810 leaked yesterday, and users have discovered it runs like a champ on the N800. The update boosts the processor to 400MHz, revs the browser to a faster Mozilla-based core, and includes Skype video support. It's not a drag-and-drop upgrade -- you'll have to score an N810 serial number and have access to a Linux box -- but something tells us those of you who've snagged an N800 aren't going to be all too fazed by that.

[Thanks, Kozzi]

[brian @ Nov 14th 2007 11:16AM]

Grammar Girl would have a lot to say about that article.

[Tim G @ Nov 14th 2007 11:22AM]

I think Nokia should to port Android to the N810. I'd buy one in a second.

Maybe some enterprising hacker will -- once they release the source code.

--t

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Nov 14th 2007 6:05PM]

Uhm... One of the features of n810 is Gecko (read: Firefox) based browser. I do expect that n810 would support bunch of Google applications out of box.

The most disappointing thing about n810 - is unknown release date. "Middle of November" is something very uncertain and what actually already happened. Yet no new information - not even pre-orders - is available.

[Benson @ Nov 19th 2007 4:04PM]

But Android is heavily Java based, not browser-based. And there's been no success to speak of getting Java on the N800.
However, it has been suggested that Java should be much simpler to port on ITOS2008 because of newer libraries (mainly GTK, I think), so that could change.

[Dan @ Nov 14th 2007 11:39AM]

"those of you aching makes things a little more today are getting a little boost"

Really?

[Benson @ Nov 14th 2007 11:55AM]

I think they must have machine-translated this from the japanese engadget site.

[Eric @ Nov 14th 2007 11:44AM]

It was known at the PR launch of the 810 that the IT2008 OS would run on the n800. There is also strong indication that the IT2009 will run on the n800 as well. With some hacker-foo they may even bring the IT2008 release to the lowly 770 as well.

It makes sense since the hardware inside is virtually identical.

[Benson @ Nov 14th 2007 12:02PM]

Yes, but we're supposed to have to wait another week or so until they have a finished version for the N800. What I suspect this means is that they did all their QC on the N810 to get it out the door on time, and still need to wrap up QC on the N800. So, not really having time to fiddle with it _twice_, I'm just waiting.

The 770 receiving 2008 seems a bit of a stretch; it's a previous product, now EOLed, while the N800/N810 are both current products (low/high-end, but simultaneous production) and share much more hardware similarity, so all future updates for one should be good for both.
However, there have been some Nokia sources insisting ITOS2008HE will be coming to the 770s eventually. If so, it'll be truly outstanding support.

[Bryan @ Nov 14th 2007 11:46AM]

Don't they check grammar on these things? I'm still not sure what half the article is trying to say.

[CL @ Nov 14th 2007 12:09PM]

well, that was quick engadget already plugged the hole.

[Benson @ Nov 14th 2007 12:31PM]

For those who don't know, the hole referenced:
This hack works by downloading the N810 image. This requires an N810 MAC for authentication.
Engadget oh-so-sweetly posted a picture at
http://www.engadget.com/photos/nokia-n810-hands-on/443977/
which showed the MAC in all it's glory. That's now been removed and replaced in the gallery with
http://www.engadget.com/photos/nokia-n810-hands-on/488415/
which is the same, but with all identifying characteristics blurred out.
Spoil-sports! :P

[Ian @ Nov 14th 2007 12:20PM]

So this basically turns the N800 into an N810 minuus the GPS chipset and Mapping software

[Benson @ Nov 14th 2007 12:24PM]

And hardware keyboard.

But, it also has 2 SDHC, instead of (I think) 2GB "superglued in SD" permanent storage and 1 ??micro?? SDHC (or is it mini? IDK) slot.
And N800's video camera still flips.

[Ian @ Nov 14th 2007 1:23PM]

I am guessing that the upgrdaed firmware should allow use of at least a 4GB card in each? On an updated N800.
Yes the keyboard is something to consider. Right now I cannot decide what the worth of the keyboard is. I use several devices with touch screens and don't write out large manuscripts with them. So would I ever need a keyboard on an N series?

[bachviet @ Nov 14th 2007 2:19PM]

The mapping software is there but the GPS is not so you have to use an external bluetooth GPS receiver.

The latest OS2007 firmware for the N800 already adds the support for SDHC (2GB+) and I have a 4GB and a 8GB SDHC cards running in mine. The N810 has one memory slot supports miniSDHC and microSDHC (with adapter). The N800 is much better since SDHC cards are cheaper than mini/microSDHC and 16GB card is already available.

I downloaded the firmware already but I can't upgrade until I get home later today since I don't have access to a Linux box at work.

[Benson @ Nov 14th 2007 2:40PM]

Perhaps my comment was unclear; the N800 has 2 slots. The N810 has only 1 slot, but has 2GB internal storage that I believe (from forum rumors) acts like an SD card.
Current N800 firmware permits up to (I think) 32GB cards. I'm using a 16GB SDHC in mine right now. (Can't afford 2 16s, so I'm using 16GB + the included 256 MB.)

I grabbed an N800 when the price started dropping after the N810 was known (but before it was announced). I already bought a BT keyboard for it, and still came out way cheaper than an N810.
It's less portable than the N810's built-in slider, but the keyboard fits easily in a jacket pocket, and can fit in a pants pocket if needed.
As for the use of a keyboard, I use it for:

* IM -- The onscreen keyboard works, but when I have room, this is faster typing, and doesn't obstruct the screen.

* xterm -- When doing any serious tinkering with the N800, a terminal is needed. While the stylus board is OK, and the hacked xterm with floating keyboard is great, nothing beats a separate keyboard.

* SSH and VNC -- When I use my N800 as a thin-client for my desktop, which it does fabulously, I need serious keyboard input. For SSH, of course, I'm working through an xterm, so discussion above applies. For VNC especially, though, the BT is invaluable.

* Data entry -- I don't do it much, but I have gnumeric on mine, so when taking down data from an experiment, I can type it here.

Basically, the keyboard is necessary for the N800 to fully replace my laptop. I think I'd still wind up needing to have the BT keyboard for an N810 to fulfill that goal, but I wouldn't carry it near that much.

I don't know what your usage pattern is, and if you don't have the need for frequent SSH/VNC sessions, or aren't trying to completely replace a laptop, the N810 probably eliminates the need for a BT keyboard.
But I expect you'll probably want to get a BT keyboard for your N800, if you get one; so I'd figure that into the price of the N800.

[Ian @ Nov 14th 2007 2:57PM]

Terrific write up thanks. I hadn't realised that the firmware allows it to read up to 16BG. That's super.

[Morgan @ Nov 14th 2007 1:00PM]

man what retard wrote this article? ever hear of proofreading? was ur editor sleeping on the job?

[barrywoods @ Nov 14th 2007 10:50PM]

That would be "you're". :)

[barrywoods @ Nov 14th 2007 10:52PM]

Damn spell check!! I meant your....

[Morgan @ Nov 15th 2007 9:31AM]

barry actually "ur" is correct internet lingo for your. check any internet lingo site.

[Joe H @ Nov 15th 2007 1:05AM]

Skype hasn't been released for OS2008 yet, so I have no idea what this article is talking about.