Prototype Nokia N900 Internet tablet previewed
updated 05:05 pm EDT, Wed August 19, 2009
Nokia N900 reviewed
Leaked images of a pre-production version of the Nokia N900 Internet tablet, known internally as RX-51, have prompted a review of a prototype unit to surface, confirming many of its specs and revealing a few new ones. For one, the tablet will run on an as yet unreleased version of the Linux-based Maemo operating system instead of its own Symbian S60. The photos also confirm that the device will have an 800x480 resolution resistive touchscreen, 32GB of storage onboard, be powered by an ARM Cortex A8 processor of unknown speed and sport a 5-megapixel camera. The N900 will also double as a cellphone, and is strong enough that it's suggested it could replace the N97 in Nokia's lineup.
In addition to the built-in memory, a hot-swappable microSD slot can add another 32GB of storage space. Power comes from a 1320 mAh battery, which can be recharged via a microUSB port. There is also a TV-out for displaying the N900's multimedia content to TVs.
The reviewer says the N900 boots much quicker than Nokia's S60-based devices, while the performance of its touch interface is compared to that in the Apple iPhone. The N900's browser supports flash, video and applets, as well as compatibility with certain older applications. Copying and pasting is also supported in the menus.
There is GPS functionality, and the device can play back videos without them being converted. Twitter and Facebook apps let users quickly access the social networks, meantime.
The N900 is said to be released late in 2009, with an estimated price of 550 Euros, or about $784. [via Mobile-Review]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2009
Finnaly
Now this is what I've been waiting for, my very own tricorder.