Nokia intros N810 as first WiMAX device for US

Nokia today formally unveiled the first-ever device set to work with Sprint's upcoming Xohm WiMAX network. The N810 WiMAX Edition switches to a black design both to match newer phones like the N96 but also to signal the addition of 4G Internet access to the device. Where the original N810 was limited to Wi-Fi, the new version can connect from anywhere Sprint (or other WiMAX providers) offers its coverage; on the American network, users can realistically expect between 2Mbps and 4Mbps downstream and up to 10Mbps in ideal conditions, even when 3 miles away from a tower.

The single change immediately makes more of the tablet's features useful, including the ability to place Skype voice or video calls. By using a full HTML web browser based on Mozilla's engine, users can also browse at WiMAX distances without stripping out the web features expected on a full-size computer.

The WiMAX Edition ships with 2GB of built-in memory and a microSD slot that accepts at least 8GB more for a total of 10GB of storage for music, videos, and other files. Nokia plans to release the upgraded N810 during the summer, in time for Sprint's network to have expanded beyond its initial launch areas of Baltimore, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Pricing isn't set and may depend on Sprint's plans to offer the device.