An official press release from Nokia is out, confirming US release this week.
A New Product Category - The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet Starts Shipping
ESPOO, Finland, November 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Nokia today announced that it has started deliveries of the first device in its new Internet Tablet product category, the Nokia 770. The sleek, pocket sized device is Nokia’s first Linux-based terminal product and is dedicated to convenient Internet browsing and email communications over Wi-Fi.
“We are very excited to start shipments of our first Nokia Internet Tablet device,” said Janne Jormalainen, Vice President of Convergence Products, Multimedia, Nokia. “Since announced back in May we have seen huge interest in this device, particularly from the Open Source community.”
The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet features an impressive high-resolution widescreen display (4.13″) with zoom and on-screen keyboard, ideal for viewing online content. Aside from Wi-Fi, the device can also connect to the Internet utilising Bluetooth wireless technology via a compatible mobile device.
The device runs on Linux based Nokia Internet Tablet 2005 software edition which is based on popular desktop Linux and Open Source technologies. The maemo web site provides Open Source developers and innovation houses with the tools and opportunities to collaborate with Nokia on future devices and OS releases in the Internet Tablet category. The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet was recently named Best Embedded Linux/Mobile Product or Initiative at the 2005 UK Linux & Open Source Awards.
“This is the first step to creating an Open Source product for broadband and Internet services. We will be launching regular software updates. During the first half of year 2006 we will launch the next operating system upgrade to support more presence based functionalities such as VoIP and Instant Messaging”, continues Janne Jormalainen.
The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet also boasts web browser with flash player, email client, Internet radio, news reader, file manager and media players to enable your favourite Internet services to move with you.
In addition to select retail outlets, the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet is available for purchase online through www.nokia.com at an estimated sales price of approximately 350 euros including taxes. The www.nokiausa.com sales channel is expected to open one week later.
A full list of features and product software support of the Nokia 770 is available at www.nokia.com/770.
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.
Photos of the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet can be found at www.nokia.com/press -> photos
ITT got a word from Nokia about Nov 10th as target date for shipping Nokia 770 in the United States.
Looks like it’s Europe only, but 770 is in stock here
http://direct.nokia.com/Countries.aspx?u=/Product.aspx?model=770
T3, world’s #1 gadget magazine, as they proudly claim on their Web site, reviewed Nokia 770 accompanied by gratuitous shots of scantily clad women (so there are even more reasons to check their review!)
They seem to like it:
You’re going to need a pair of slacks with some pretty cavernous pockets to carry around Nokia’s new 770 Internet Tablet, because this purty portable boasts a massive 800×480 widescreen.
Karoliina posted 25 photos of her Nokia 770 in this gallery.
A review of another happy user:
The software that comes with the developer device still has some flaws, but that was to be expected. Localization is perfect, but the video player crashed the OS the first time I tried to access the IceAge2 trailer video clip, and the unit rebooted. - Ah! As I’m writing this, I’m just geting an optical and acoustical warning that the battery is nearly empty. This is really nice and gives you enough time to close any open applications. - The second time I tried to watch the trailer I got an “unknown file type” error, but it worked afterwards. On testing I’m still getting ocassionally “unknown file type” errors. The audio player lacks a convenient method to add whole directories for playing, or I was not able to find it, which would mean it might be not intuitive enough. I put some MP3 files on the RS-MMC card and built a playlist by hand. The player seems to forget this list occassionally, however. At least I had to rebuild it three or four times until it kept stable.
Hmm, I sense another delay.
Alright, early developers, who’s selling Nokia 770 on eBay from Burkesville, Kentucky?
Thanks to Henry for pointing out to the list of 12 European countries where Nokia 770 will be available. Note the price difference, like 349 euros in Germany, 359 euros for Austria and 369 euros in Finland.
Thanks to Matt Brubeck for submitting a link to Philip’s blog, where the Nokia 770 price at the checkout is shown at 304.96 euros. It also seems like they slap some VAT tax on top of that. 304.96 euros comes to $365.72 in US dollars, so the $350 sticker seems about right.
Daniel Glassey here points out Nokia charged him a full amount, not the developer discount price. Hopefully just a silly error on Nokia’s side.
In a statement that points to the approaching release date, Nokia put up the user guides for Nokia 770 device online.
Download Nokia 770 user’s guide in English
Download Nokia 770 user’s guide in Spanish
It’s just 48 pages, so nothing intimidating for a new user.