Re: Successor to the n800 on Engadget!
 

Hm. What I'd want in the next gen:

Hardware:

0) GOBS OF MORE MEMORY

1) The idea of WiMax is growing on me ... but we're already going to have that so I don't really need to ask for it. BUT this should NOT replace the built-in wifi nor bluetooth.

2) instead of a built in keyboard, a case-based keyboard, to make a tiny-laptop form factor. You should be able to rotate the screen and then re-close it, so that the tablet faces outward instead of inward (like some newer laptops allow, for using the laptop as a tablet). But, since it's a case, that means it's optional, and you can also leave it behind. If I can't have that, or a tri-fold, then I guess a slide-out keyboard is acceptable.

3) actual USB host port, in addition to the USB client port. Have support for card readers, thumb drives, large drives (floppy, cd, dvd, hd) as well. Oh, and, keyboards and mice.

4) button layout sort of like ArminS' design (except that I like the overall N800 design more than the 770 design) ... except I'd move the select button OUT of the dpad, since I think that's awkward, and I'd make the right 4 button cluster identical to the left cluster, so that either one can be used as a dpad based upon software settings).

5) 2 semi-fixed cameras instead of 1 rotating camera (picture cam on the back, and a small semi-adjustable chat cam on the front).

6) related to "GOBS OF MORE MEMORY", support for having a larger screen resolution than the actual internal display. Add a mini-dvi connector, and put a USB hub on the USB Host port (with keyboard and mouse), and you can suddenly use your tablet as a desktop. Or, use it on a thin client, via VNC server, with a large desktop. (and, really, at that point, I'd probably get rid of my mac, too ...)


For software:

0) support for bluetooth storage, like whatever bluetooth mode is used by the Seagate D.A.V.E.

1) someone made a virtual bluetooth keyboard, that lets you use the screen of your tablet as a keyboard for remote devices. I'd like to see this extended: use the tablet, and any keyboard it has (screen, internal, extneral) as a bluetooth keyboard for some other device. AND have a mode for using the screen as a trackpad/mouse for some other device.

2) SIP phone (in beta)

3) More bluetooth client ability: Let me use my tablet as the device for dialing/selecting/answering calls, for those bluetooth cell phones that allow it. And let me use the tablet as the "bluetooth headset" too (the mic and speakers, or a wired headset, or a bluetooth headset paired with the tablet instead of paired with the cell phone). Then I can keep my phone in my backpack/briefcase/etc., and use my tablet, in a dashboard mount, as my conversation interface for cell, skype, and/or SIP.

4) bluetooth PAN support

5) Built in SOCKS support... hopefully/maybe even so low level that all apps can use it even if they don't have built-in support for it. It's fine if you need to use ssh -D to do the actual SOCKS transport, as long as I know that at least the default software, and hopefully even all add-on software, can talk to the SOCKS port.

6) Built in calendar and to-do list

7) Sync with google contacts, calendar, and bookmarks

8) Sync with delicious bookmarks

9) Add full IMAP support to the built-in email client (any folders can be server side folders, including INBOX, Sent, and Trash; ability to access any server side folders, not just INBOX).

10) integration between Contacts and other apps (I don't know if it's pidgin's fault, or nokia's fault, but why can't I specify that my Contact has an AIM, Yahoo, or MSN-Messenger account? And check their presence via "Speed Contacts"?) Maybe the best answer here is for the built-in IM capability to extend past Google-Talk? Add in direct support for AIM and Yahoo, at least (MSN would be nice, but not strictly necessary for me).

11) There are USB dongles out there for GSM. With the USB Host port, I'd like to see drivers and application software for at least one common USB GSM device. Even better: a Nokia branded USB GSM dongle. This entirely closes the argument for those who want a GSM radio in their tablet in a way that should make both crowds happy. The only draw back, from the GSM crowd side, is that you'd need to use a USB extender cable, so that the dongle wasn't hanging directly off of your tablet ... so a slight bit of tethering* (maybe have a way to clip it to the back of the tablet?). But I think it'd work.

(* tethering in the cord sense, not in the cell phone sense)

Now you've got an unlocked cell phone built into your tablet, IF YOU WANT IT. The software should support internet access and making phone calls (with full integration with your contacts list) ... and probably integration with TXT messages and picture messages (though, I'd also like the ability to completely block TXT messages).

12) This last one is ENTIRELY optional, just a sort of after-thought idea ... since you'll have a USB host port in this design, which can have DVD drives attached to it ... and there are also USB dongles for tv tuners ... software that can be used to watch movie DVDs and use tv tuners as well. Bonus points for HD support.