I am a total novice on my N800 and mainly use it as a sofa based web browser, but I read these forums often to see if there is any useful new software. I am anticipating the new o/s release (didn't some guy promise it would be out on june 11), but it seems that there is a lot of emphasis on Skype in the new o/s and the apparent importance of Skype to N800 users.

Maybe it is just me, but I don't care about Skype one bit and would prefer to make the N800 into a real business tool with Open Office support and a push email client. Am I alone that these type applications are vastly more important to the longterm commercial viability of the N800. Perhaps I don't understand Skype well enough or am just different from others, but I am going to use my cellphone to make a phone call. That is not what I personally want to do with my N800?

In addition, I still think Nokia should be paying money to Citrix to develop a client for the N800. That would be money well spent by Nokia.

If the N800 is going to remain a niche device, it will go nowhere. There are people that would still today say the Newton was one of the best computing devices ever. I hope Nokia is mindful.

I agree with you for the most part: there have to solid, business-type applications for the N800 so that it will stick around. However, I'd put Skype in the collection with Open Office and push email.

Consider Skype rates. Unlimited calling to any phone for under $30/year. My cell service (T-Mobile) offers plans as low as 4 cents per minute. But my plan is still $60 / month (with a family plan, etc). Put your family on Skype and call for free.

Skype probably does not make sense as the only plan for a business or even as the sole provider for your home. But for many applications you might use your cell phone for, Skype is cheaper. And there are lots of options when you consider things like international calling.

I think the hype builds around Skype because most folks have the impression that cell phone companies are grubbing for any $$ they can get. There's also the impression that Skype will make a lot of $$ without all the grubbing.

Anyway, while I'm not freaking out about Skype in the new firmware release (there are other features/fixes I long for), it'd be great to have that application as some calling options.

-F

No, it doesn't need push e-mail clients (in my 20 years on the internet, I've never even HEARD of push e-mail). That would MAKE it a niche product. I would much rather use Skype (or Gizmo) for calls than a cell phone. I personally don't care too much about Skype though and no, it's not integrated into the firmware.

I think the problem a lot of people have with the N800 is that they buy it expecting to replace their business phones and Blackberry, but that's not what the N800 is for.

I agree that I would take Open Office over Skype, and I just wish there was a video call application for Mac, so I can call home from the road. Otherwise, for browsing, I love the N800.

I do want to see Skype on the N800. If the browser supports Google Documents etc (i actually haven't tried it so i could be wrong, but i think i read somewhere it isn't supported 'cause of AJAX??) then that is a solution already.

But there's no real phone solution. Gizmo doesn't work here most of the time. Btw: i'm eagerly awaiting Skype, but are there people out here that have used Skype through WiFi? Is the transmitted voice quality good through 11mbit/54mbit connections? I know received voice over 11mbit connections is okay.

My guess is that OpenOffice.org would interest more people, yes. For me though, my N800 is my main personal computer, not something I'm trying to use for work, and I've not had (or needed) a word processor, spreadsheet, or any other office app on a personal computer since I was a student.

As I don't know anyone who uses Skype, it holds no particular allure. I'm more looking forward to seeing what other improvements might come with the update.

Keep in mind the N800 was released by the Multimedia division. That may (or may not) explain the lack of emphasis on business tools. Had it been released as the E800, by Nokia Enterprise solutions, odds are things could have been very different.

I realize this solves nothing for anyone, but I'm hoping it at least explains motives behind the current tablet's direction. I could be wrong. However, I would also dearly love a version with an enterprise focus...

I'll go with the "I know no one who uses skype" crowd. I do know a bunch of people who use iChat, with video. Would be nice to see some type of application that would let us us that.

Whilst Skype would be an interesting tool to play with on the N800 or the 770, I would be more interested in being able to use my bluetooth headset to make calls instead of the wired version. Gizmo is an acceptable alternative to Skype for the moment, but it strikes me as counterintuitive (and slightly ironic) that the internet tablets are supposed make it so we can be less restricted (with regards to where we surf, check emails, et al.), but continues to tie us to a unit with headphone cables. While I could care less about A2DP, simple bluetooth voice function shouldn't be so hard, should it? In the spirit of the US' Independence Day (also my birthday) with respect to Patrick Henry..."Give me Bluetooth, or give me death." I can think of almost nothing more fitting.

I hadn't really thought of it that way. Nokia mobile phones are (obviously) released the same way... (whacks his head with a DOH!).

I still think Skype can be one of the handful of apps that will give strong cred to the N800. Perhaps it's not Skype...just VOIP. But since Gizmo has not caught on, perhaps the more-established Skype can do so. I think folks will be surprised by how useful an established, working VOIP app can be.

-F