Hello all,

I currently own and use an iBook for my Internet access. Essentially, I use Google services (homepage, reader, talk, gmail, notebook, bookmarks - everything). Other than that, I view a couple of favorite sites like youtube and IGN, play games on some various flash sites, and use iChat for AIM. That's mainly it.

I like the iBook, but my dream has been to have something much smaller, but which will not compromise on the internet experience. I've tried various smartphones and PDAs, but the Internet on those devices, well, leaves much to be desired.

Apple just announced their iPhone, which looks amazong, but the screen it just two small for a real browsing experience. I was surfing around and found the announcement about the Nokia N800.

Now THIS looks like everything I've ever wanted in a portable device. a nice wide screen with a good resolution, and all the Internet apps I could use. A friend of mine offfered me $400 for the laptop, so it wouldn't cost me anything to make the transition. I do have a few questions for you folks before I do...

1. Based on what I use the laptop for, do you think this would function well as my computer?
2. Will all of the Google services run well on it - specifically homepage, gmail and reader?
3. Can I set up regular AIM chat?
4. How is Flash on this device, that is, are sites like YouTube viewable (I understand there might be choppiness - that's fine - it doesn't have to be perfect, just work)?
5. Can I attach (or pair a bluetooth) a keyboard if I want to?
6. Are there 3rd party codecs available, like Divx, or Divx compatable players like VLC that I can install for this particular device?

I know this has only been out for a while, but based on the specs that are out, and the fact that most of you have experience with the 770, I'm hoping you can answer at aleast some of these. I'd love to try one in a store, but I'm sure it'll either be unpowered, have no internet access, or broken - as is the case with most store models.

Thanks for any help you can give, and if I do get one, I look forward to being a part of your community!

-Mark
6. Is it easy to add and remove other software?

Hi,

1. Perhaps. I've not yet tried an N800, but it sounds like you are the target user.
2. Gmail works on the 770, I've not tried Homepage. Reader didn't on the 770 (IIRC), however the N800's got a later version of Opera so it may well. There is also a built-in RSS reader which can auto-refresh in the background on the N800.
3. Not sure. Using Gaim or an additional Jabber transport, yes.
4. YouTube apparently works on the N800, but is choppy as you say. The videos are viewable at full rate using my VidConvert service.
5. Bluetooth keyboards (supporting the HID profile) are supported out-of-the-box on the N800, a third party applet is required to provide a pretty GUI on the 770.
6. DivX is supported out-of-the-box on the built-in player, however there is also mplayer. The capabilities of the N800 haven't been fully explored, but for the 770 you usually needed to transcode videos either by script, GUI or manually.
7. Adding and removing other software is trivial using the built-in Application Manager. Third party software can be seen in the OS 2006 application catalogue and the preview of the new system.

HTH,

Andrew

Wow - there's a wealth of software for this thing. Looks like a pretty active community too. I'm gonna have to try this out in a store, but I think I'm sold

for web browsing it is not quite as good as a laptop. but it might be good enough for you. you should try it.

Right - I'm sure it won't be as perfect as a full size browser on a laptop, but my geek side is willing to make certain sacrifices for the size of the device, and just being different. Besides, the Linux base really appeals to me - so many free apps, and a very healthy community if I need help or support.

Besides, between a PDA/Smartphone and a full laptop, what other alternatives are there?

OQO/UMPC type devices running Windows XP.

The downside for these devices is cost (2x-3x cost of 770/N800), size (larger than 770/N800) and weight (3x weight of 770/N800).

You forgot to mention the most important downside - they run Windows XP.

-Mark

1. The Nokia Internet Tablet should work for many of your needs. I am a long time Macintosh User and a short time Nokia 770 owner.
2. The Google homepage has worked pretty well for me. I have not read much google email or the Google reader. Although, you might try http://www.readermini.com for Google reader access.
3. See others replies.
4.Flash is tough on the 770. I look forward to the supposedly better Flash support of the N800.
5.I have had pretty good success with the ThinkOutside Bluetooth keyboard on the Nokia 770
6. Video files often need conversion. Media Converter definitely helps.
6a. Once you define the Application Repositories. It is quite easy to add software through a wireless internet connection. It is just as easy as downloading software and installing it on the iBook. And ten times easier that installing software on traditional Palm or Pocket PC PDA's (Where you would usually have to dwonload the software to you laptop or desktop and that sync the software over to the handheld device.

I have even downloaded Mac software using the Nokia 770 and then transferred the software to the Mac (with a the USB cable) when it was convenient to get back to the big heavy Macintosh!

I think the Nokia Internet tablets may not totally replace the iBook. But I sure don't want to be without my Nokia 770 when I am away from my Macintoshes.

That yellow font you've used is awful when using the white-background skin, rather than the default dark.

Please don't change your font colour without careful consideration to other readers.