Nokia Launches Linux 'Internet Tablet'

The device, called the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, is based on Linux and has built-in support for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the company said in a statement. It sports an 800 x 480 display and an on-screen keyboard.

Nokia, which uses versions of the Symbian platform for its mobile phones, said that Linux made more sense for this new type of device.

"Linux is a logical choice for the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet as Linux and the Open Source development platform provide us with fast and efficient solutions to build products for this new Nokia product category," Janne Jormalainen, Nokia's vice president of convergence products, said in a statement.

He said that the company would release regular software updates, with the first one coming in the first half of next year. That update will support applications such as voice-over-IP and instant messaging, Jormalainen said in a statement.

Software included with the first version include Internet radio, an RSS news reader, image and media players as well as Web browsing and e-mail software. The company said the tablet will start shipping in the third quarter of 2005 in the Americas and Europe. It provided no pricing information.