Hands-On: Nokia's N810 Linux Powered Internet Tablet

Nokia N810

Nokia N810

Nokia N810

The Nokia N810 is the third product in the Internet Tablet lineup from the Finnish handset manufacturer. Featuring a large 4.1" touchscreen with 800x480 pixel resolution and based on Maemo, a Linux based user interface, Nokia's Internet Tablets are slowly progressing from a geek toy to a consumer device.

With the N810, Nokia has added a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a built-in GPS receiver. Nokia also stuffed 2GB of built-in memory inside, with a miniSD card slot for expanded storage. The N810 retains many of the hardware features of the N800, such as a built-in VGA resolution camera for video calling, hardware buttons for zooming in and out on the interface, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The N810 uses a micro-USB port for data transfer and also sports a built-in kickstand for convenience.

With the N810, Maemo also got updated to Tablet OS2008, code named 'Chinook'. This new version adds quite a bit of eye candy, with semi-transparent menus and home screen applets, as well as a more finger-friendly menu system. Updated Flash means that YouTube videos play easily in the new Mozilla-based browser, as well.

The Nokia N810 with OS2008 also features an updated Gizmo Project client, which allows you to use the tablet as a VOIP phone, and also supports tablet-to-PC video calling. An internet radio directory is also included, so users can easily use the Nokia N810 as a portable Internet radio player. The N810's processor runs at a speedy 400MHz, which keeps the menus snappy.

Nokia N810

Nokia N810

Nokia N810