Nokia N810 Internet Tablet Announced!
Hot off the press is the news of the updated N810 Internet Tablet. Thanks to the detective work of Thoughtfix over at Tabletblog.com, we have most of the details, but let’s go down the official spec sheet to see the details.
First and foremost is the OS. Nokia has updated to OS2008 for the N810, and has made the update available to owners of the N800, as well. No official word yet on when that update will be available. New features include video calling with Gizmo Project (interesting, I’d have expected Skype), an updated Mozilla-based web browser with AJAX and Adobe Flash 9 support, as well as (FINALLY) support for bluetooth headsets! I’d like to think they’d have FINALLY fixed the handwriting recognition, but we’ll see. As soon as I can get my hands on this update, I’ll have some screenshots from my N800 posted.
Now to the hardware…….
First, there’s a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Looks nice and spacious, as
well, but time will tell on that one. I’m somewhat miffed that the
D-pad and menu button were moved to the slide. They’re not nearly as
convenient down there, but it’s not like I use them that often,
anyways. The speakers were also moved around to the sides of the
device, which is how it’s less wide.
The N810 is slightly smaller than the N800, measuring 128mm x 72mm x 14mm vs. the N800’s 144mm x 75mm x 13mm and weighing in at 226g
compared to the N800’s trim 206g. The screen is the same touchscreen
beauty found on previous Internet Tablets. The 3.5mm headset jack is
still present, though the USB port has been shrunk to 
micro-USB sizes
(though only for data, charging is still with the little bitty Nokia
charger). Bluetooth 2.0 now supports BT headsets and the video codecs
supported will make your head spin (since you’re going to ask, “3GP,
AVI, H.263, H.264, MP4, ASF, WMV, Mpeg-1, Mpeg-4, RV).
The processor is the same TI OMAP2420 from the N800, clocked up to
400Mhz instead of 330. RAM is still 128MB, but the internal memory has
been bumped to 2GB. There’s only one memory card slot, and it’s
(apparently) a miniSD that supports up to 8GB. The N810 is still
rocking a 1500mAh battery for extended life. GPS is built-in, and
apparently comes with Wayfinder setup the same way as Nokia Maps, with
voice directions costing extra. 
The sales package is improved, as it now comes with a car holder
(CR-89) in the box. I’ve been shopping for these, and online they’re
going for nearly $50-60, which explains the $80 price hike over the
starting price of the N800. Speaking of, it’s said to be available
mid-November for $479. Not too shabby, and consistent with the
quick-release habits of the Internet Tablet team. You can bet your
sweet bippy I’ll be harassing everyone I know to get my hands on one of
these for a side-by-side session.
So let’s recap. We’ve lost a card slot, and kept the same crummy
camera, as well as moved to the not-quite-as-common-yet micro-USB port.
Since the OS update will be available on the N800, what do you think is
the better deal? Personally, I’ll be dumping my N800 for the N810. The
slide-out QWERTY and GPS, as well as the faster processer make it ideal
for me. What are your thoughts?
I do not have an N800, but going purely off specs, it seems the N810 is a step forward and a step back at the same time.
It does seem like a nice device.
Looks great! And the specs are very good, I don’t mind losing one card slot - addition of the qwerty and GPS WAYYYY outweigh it! Excellent!
Looks pretty nice, I like the inclusion of GPS and a car mount. The addition of a keyboard is very nice, but not a huge deal to me. Speaking on the processor, this does beg the question that since they use the same omap2420 processor, shouldn’t it be possible to overclock the N800 up to 400Mhz without much risk?
I will say that at this price point, I think the N800 is still a better deal. (around $230-$250 at many etailers) I don’t like the downgrade of the 2 SD slots.
My last question is about A2DP. Since this bluetooth profile will be in the N810, is it probable that it will also be updated to be included on the N800 with the release of the OS2008?
I’m keeping the N800, I see this as a upgrade/downgrade.
The keyboard is nice, and the 2GB of internal memory seems nice too.. but with 2 card slots, I can throw an 8GB on my ‘internal’ N800 slot, and still have that all important external slot free.
Keyboard is nice… but yeah… freedom minis are cheap on Ebay. :)
With GPS this device is better.
Man, that thing is pretty nice.
If you were a first time buyer ( I am ) and had to choose between the Motorola RIZR Z8 ( Symbian OS ? ) or this new Nokia - which one would you get?
I already have the n800 and gps package. i don’t care for the keyboard and 1 less memory slot. i don’t see a good enough reason to spend $479 dollars on this new device. But give me the update NOW please!
What does Nokia have against charging via USB like almost everyone else does!!!