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Keepin' it real fake: the affordable, off-contract Nokia Booklet 3G you've been waiting for, maybe
It may not be the most timely KIRF we've seen, but it looks like folks that were taken with the Nokia Booklet 3G's design but not its high, on-contract price will soon have the device they've been waiting for -- sort of. While its 3G-ness is still in question, this as yet unnamed netbook does pack a 10.1-inch, 1,024 x 600 display, along with an Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, a non-removable battery, and "maybe" an HDMI output. Still no word on an exact price or release date, but M.I.C Gadget expects it to be "at most" 2,000 yuan, or just under $300. [Thanks, Chris]
Nokia's VP talks N8, MeeGo 'milestone product,' tablets, Android and more!
Nokia's prepping for a fourth quarter launch of its MeeGo smartphone. The N8 will hit before the end of Q3. The company's absolutely not planning to use Android and a tablet isn't happening anytime soon. And that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the stuff we learned this morning during our captivating chat with Niklas Savander, Espoo's executive vice president and general manager of the Markets unit. With its quarterly profits dropping and losing daily (in mindshare, at least) to the Apples, HTCs and Motorolas of the world, we were certainly not lacking questions when we headed into the meeting, and Savander took on our questions about Nokia's short and long term plans with stride. We've got the key points of the interview bulleted out after the break -- and the full transcript after that.
Nokia Booklet 3G slips to $199 on contract 'through the holidays'
Few people were debating that the $299 on contract price for Nokia's Atom-powered Booklet 3G was a bit steep, but now it has fallen more in line with its closest competition thanks to a price drop at Best Buy Mobile. From December 13th "through the holidays," the Windows 7-packin' machine (which we just recently reviewed) will be available for $199.99 with a two-year AT&T Data Connect plan. Of course, there's a good chance you'll regret the decision to jump on this when the next-generation Atom hits at CES (which is happening, right Intel?), but hey, Santa's got to do what Santa's got to do. [Thanks, Hary]
Nokia Booklet 3G running Windows 7 Home Premium unboxed (video)
Now we're talking Nokia. Although the Booklet 3G spotted at Best Buy last week was saddled with the arbitrarily limited Windows 7 Starter Edition, the Booklet 3G sent to Engadget Spanish is configured with Windows 7 Home Premium -- a more suitable companion for this premium netbook... an oxymoron, we know. See the full unboxing video after the break and a picture paella just beyond the read link. And hey, feel free to dance along if so moved -- nobody's watching 'cept the robots.
Nokia Booklet 3G hands-on (with video!)
That $599 non-subsidized price still sounds silly -- and $299 with a 2-year $60 monthly contract seems almost more extreme -- but there's no denying that the Booklet 3G is a truly premium netbook. It's light, strong and very elegant, with an aluminum chassis, wonderful keyboard and spacious two-finger-scroll touchpad. Unfortunately, those netbook innards deliver about what you'd expect in the performance arena (almost too slow for web browsing), and NY's AT&T 3G coverage certainly doesn't serve the laptop well (as demonstrated on video after the break). There's also the small matter of the screen: it has a pretty weak viewing angle, particularly from above, and overall just seems a little dim. Nokia's software approach isn't too revolutionary, since the Social Hub -- which offers threaded text messaging over 3G -- is the only exclusive app on the computer, and the Ovi Maps-branded GPS software is still in the works. Overall, the appeal is probably going to be strongest with dyed-in-the-wool Nokia fans and people with a bit of extra cash to burn, but this is an obviously elegant product that doesn't do any sort of disservice to its phone heritage. Update: Nokia just clarified to us that the demo units at this event were actually from the UK, and therefore don't have US 3G -- which would certainly explain some of the speed issues. %Gallery-75435%
Nokia tells all on Booklet 3G: $299 with a 2-year contract on AT&T
Nokia, AT&T, Best Buy and Microsoft are all holding hands and singing the same song about Nokia's Booklet 3G today. The good news is that the device will be subsidized by AT&T, at $299 with a 2-year contract at a $60 a month data plan -- with other rate plans and prices to be announced -- and a $599 non-subsidized price. It'll be out with the launch of Windows 7 on October 22nd and available exclusively through Best Buy through the holidays. Nokia's also pretty strong about stating that 12 hour battery life isn't a "brochure number" but a real number -- though we doubt that since Nokia is using Mobile Mark '07 which doesn't include wireless in its base tests.
Nokia Booklet to hit O2 Germany October 22 for €249 on contract (update: €749 total)
Nokia just posted up some of the first official details on the launch of the Booklet 3G, and they're... actually a little confusing. The aluminum netbook will hit O2 Germany for €249 ($366) on a €20 ($29) tariff over 24 months, but there's also mention of a "flat rate data tariff" of €25 ($36) per month -- we're guessing the flat rate is for buyers who snag the Booklet for the full price of €699 ($1,029), but honestly, that's not how the post on Nokia Conversations reads at all. We're trying to get it cleared up, and we've got a feeling we'll be hearing about availability in other markets including the States soon enough, so stick around. Update: Okay, the Nokia PR is out and as commenter Amyd has helpfully translated for us, you're looking at two different payments here: the O2 MyHandy purchase program, where you buy the Booklet for €249 upfront and dish out €20 a month for two years, and the actual O2 wireless service, which is €25 a month. That's a total of €749 for the Booklet 3G, plus the service fee -- yeah, we'll pass.
Motorola Sholes to launch by holidays, along with the BlackBerry Storm 2 and Nokia Booklet 3G
Well well, it looks like the Android-powered Motorola Sholes will be out on Verizon by the holidays. That's at least the impression we're getting from a bunch of leaked Verizon retailer documents posted up by Boy Genius Report, which also indicate the BlackBerry Storm 2, Curve 2 and LG Chocolate Touch will hit Big Red in time for eggnog, along with an unspecified netbook -- we're guessing this Gateway number. Speaking of netbooks, a similar document from Best Buy Mobile also leaked over the weekend, and it looks like the Nokia Booklet 3G will be exclusive to Best Buy and compatible with AT&T 3G. Oh, and the Pixi is coming, but you already knew that. Here's the real mystery, though: "There are multiple Android launches across multiple carriers, along with some new technology that doesn't exist today." That's certainly open for interpretation, so we leave it to you -- is Best Buy Mobile about to start selling teleporters, or what? Read - Sam's Club and Target Verizon docs Read - Best Buy Mobile docs
Microsoft's dual-screen Courier booklet emerges, isn't near production
We know, we know -- you're probably still waiting for the Apple tablet that'll never come, but how's about a prototype alternative from said outfit's arch enemy to tide you over? Gizmodo has just let slip details surrounding what was previously a top secret project deep within the lairs of Redmond, but given that this is more of an advanced proof of concept than anything else, we're doing our best to curb our inner enthusiasm about a near-term release. We're told that the folding device could eventually ship with dual 7-inch displays, both of which support multitouch gestures and can also be controlled via a stylus. It should too boast a camera and possibly an inductive charging pad on the rear, though we can't help but be a wee bit frightened by hearing that the user interface is "complex." Essentially, the Courier is a touch-friendly, two-screen tablet that can't let go of the tried-and-true pen input method, and your guess is as good as ours when it comes to purpose. Though, something tells us ASUS might just have the answer. Video's after the break.
Nokia Booklet 3G hits the unboxing phase of its product cycle
Might as well add your own soundtrack, because chances are, you won't be able to understand what the narrator with a tattoo on his left hand is saying. Not that you really need, as you can probably get the gist of this Nokia Booklet 3G unboxing. We've got blue packaging, a power brick, a "Hello, Hei" greeting just under the portable itself, and a fairly sleek portable to boot. Of course, with a $800 price tag on the outside and an Atom processor on the inside, it's not the most attractive of combinations. See the whole kit and caboodle after the break. [Thanks, mimo]
Nokia puts Booklet 3G netbook up for pre-order... in Italy
So, we've got some good news and bad news. The good news is that Nokia's already offering up its Booklet 3G netbook for pre-order over in Italy, which is becoming an all-too-familiar scene for Nokia wares. The bad news is that the posted price is, um, absurd. During a keynote at Nokia World 09, listeners were told that the Windows 7-powered machine would ring up at "just" €570, yet Nokia's own Italian e-store has it listed for €699. That's just over a grand in Greenbacks, though we get the feeling it'll be selling for substantially less once the feel-good emotions fade and cold, hard economics take their toll.Update: As pointed out in the comments, the announced €570 price was likely pre-tax and pre-carrier subsidy as is typical for Nokia's European announcements. The €699 price is thus VAT inclusive.[Via I4U News]
Nokia Booklet 3G gets its very own promo video
You know what would be nice? If Nokia's Booklet 3G actually made us feel as uplifted and inspired as the music in this fancy new promo video does. And why is it shown running Windows 7 Media Center, which will likely tax the 1.6GHz Atom Z530 and presumably integrated graphics beyond usability, but there aren't any shots of the Ovi apps in action? Aren't they the reason we're supposed to get all excited about paying a huge markup for this thing? And -- will using it make our hands look like that? We found only questions in the video beyond the break, but we're sure some of you have answers.
Switched On: Microsoft and Nokia trade posturing for pragmatism
Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. Few tech giants have circled each other as intently over the past decade as Microsoft and Nokia -- Big PC vs. Big Handset, not quite direct competitors but hardly partners, and only occasionally backing common initiatives such as DLNA. But this year there have been signs that relations between the two companies have been thawing -- the Finnish tundra's warmed to the Seattle rain. In March, Nokia announced that it would support Microsoft's Silverlight on its S60 handsets. And earlier this month, the two companies announced a "global alliance" that will begin with Microsoft porting Mobile Office to Symbian in order to compete more effectively against fast-growing Research in Motion. Just weeks after that announcement, however, both companies have made moves in each other's space that show they're willing to break with longstanding positions in order to capture a share of the other's opportunity.
Nokia Booklet 3G is really real, as seen on camera
Not that we thought it was a fabrication this morning, but Reuters has managed to snap a few pictures of the Nokia Booklet 3G "mini laptop" to assure us that there is indeed at least one physical unit in existence, located at the company's Helsinki headquarters. As seen in another photo, the model sports the blue lid, and just so you're absolutely clear how a 10.1-inch netbook sizes up to an actual phone, we've got a side-by-side with an E71. Looks like we'll have to wait until Nokia World to figure out what Intel Atom processor they've got inside that makes sense to pair with a HDMI output, however. Update: Nokia might be mum on the issue, but Intel tells Pocket-lint that it's got the 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 chipset, which isn't exactly known for its HD video prowess but can technically do up to 720p. No word on any other technology that make the HDMI port more logical, but if there is was, it's probably not coming from NVIDIA or Broadcom -- both companies have denied involvement with the Booklet. [Via Liliputing and Slashgear]
Nokia introduces Booklet 3G 'mini laptop'
Nokia rocked the world this morning by introducing its spin on the laptop, called the Booklet 3G. If you're the rude sort (like us) you could call it a fancy netbook, what with its Atom processor and 10.1-inch display, but that screen is higher res than your average Eee, and it also sports integrated 3G wireless and a hot-swappable SIM card, so it's definitely trying to define its own niche. It looks to be running Windows 7, which isn't particularly netbooky, and also has integrated A-GPS with a copy of Ovi Maps, HDMI output, a rated 12 hour battery life, and the usual Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, all in a 2cm (.78 inch), 2.7lb aluminum body that's understated, sophisticated, and should make most Nokia fans very happy -- Nokia fans who are looking for a tiny laptop, anyway. There's a fancy promotional video after the break, and while we don't have any anticipated release date or price just yet, we'll be learning more at Nokia World 09 on September 2. We promise not to make too many Foleo references.
7th Dragon dated, interactive preorder bonus revealed
Sega crept down Japan's chimney and left a special something in the nation's stocking (apart from Phantasy Star Zero): a March 5 release date for its Etrian-Odyssey-a-like RPG, 7th Dragon. They also distributed new screens (here) and a short battle video (past the jump).But wait, there's more! Those who pre-order the title (in Japan, natch) can get their hands on the above "Dragon Chronicle" booklet, which comes with a soundtrack CD. It's not the most attractive bonus we've laid eyes on, but it does perform a neat function, aside from containing developer interviews and character sketches. Those who examine this closely enough will be able to find hidden codes within, which in turn unlock concealed items in the game -- a bit like Ni-no-kuni: The Another World's custom spellbook, if not quite as integral to gameplay.%Gallery-33401%
Buzz-building booklet
From hosting parties with Wii ambassadors to tagging along with touring bands, Nintendo has been pushing its new system in lots of creative ways. It's helped a lot to spread the word about the Wii to not just traditional gamers, but lapsed and non-gamers as well.Our latest issue of Nintendo Power came in the mail packed with a 12-page booklet promoting the console's features. Considering that most of the magazine's subscribers likely already have a Wii, this doesn't seem noteworthy at first, but turning to the last page, Nintendo has a message encouraging people to pass around the advertising piece. We doubt that there are many situations where you'd want to evangelize Nintendo with the booklet, but it sounds like an effective way to give information about the console to someone who's interested in the Wii, but doesn't know much about it. Jump past the post break for the scanned message.
Typo: vibration function cited in PS3's NBA 2K7 booklet
Keen eyes have spotted this careless passage published in the PlayStation 3 version of the NBA 2K7 instruction booklet: "Once you start feeling your heart rate pumping (via controller vibration), you'll be ready to begin! Shooting free throws in 24/7: NEXT is just like shooting free throws in a normal quick game" (page 15). The rumble citation is an amusing relic of pre-Sixaxis days when the manual's authors must have assumed (or were told) the final PS3 controller would feature a standard vibration function. Guess 2K Games didn't bother to hire a knowledgeable copy editor.Please, let's not assume this means PS3 games have 'hidden' vibration features. A typo's a typo. And PS3 launch titles won't be a'rumblin.[Thanks, Xenokai]
What is next-gen? CliffyB asks, Joystiq answers
[Click image to enlarge]What is next-gen, Cliff Bleszinski ponders in his developer's note, a preface to the Gears of War instruction manual. Well CliffyB, we think you are.This little personalized note sets a new precedent for the industry, where next-generation isn't just about hardware upgrades and "soul," as Bleszinski puts it. It's about celebrity. In this next generation we will begin to see the rise of popular interest in the off-the-job undertakings of the game world's celebs; a new gaming culture that builds up these personalities. We're not far from a time when, for lack of blockbuster franchises, rising development costs will prompt publishers to sell their games using these freshly sculpted celebrities' names -- the games' concepts being just footnotes. And then, wrought with betrayal and jealousy, we will strike down these primmed and pampered figures from their pedestals, greedily hastening their downfalls; and the industry with them.So, if you find yourself in the line at the EBGames at Universal Citywalk this evening (4pm, PT), waiting to get Mr. Bleszinski's signature emblazoned across your brand-new copy of Gears, just think: man, I'm so 'next-gen' right about now.
