The Linux-powered Nokia 770 Internet Tablet offers convenient Internet browsing and email through built-in WiFi, or via a Bluetooth connection to a compatible mobile phone. The device boasts a 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 pixel touch-screen, plus integrated WiFi, Bluetooth, and a reduced-size MMC (RS-MMC) card slot.

(Click for larger view of the 770 Internet Tablet)

Although positioned as an “Internet tablet,” the 770 has much wider applicability. Bundled software currently includes: web browser, email client, Internet radio, news reader, media players, image viewer, file manager, search, calculator, world clock, PDF-viewer, notes, sketch, and games. Additionally, a broad and growing range of software can be downloaded and installed onto the device from the 770's Maemo.org community website.

According to Ari Jaaksi, Nokia's director of open source software operations, the company conceived the 770 as a web tablet, rather than as a traditional PDA. As a result, the device is “more like a laptop than an embedded device,” he said. “The goal was to get as close as possible to a PC experience. We probably couldn't have done this device two years ago, due to improvements in LCDs at this price point.” Further insight into the 770 and it's Linux-based software, gained from a conversation with Jaaksi, is available here.

The 770 measures 5.5 x 3.1 x 0.7 inches and weighs 8.1 ounces. It's based on a 220 MHz Texas Instruments (TI) OMAP 1710, a dual-core SoC (system-on-chip) that combines an ARM926TEJ RISC processor core with a TI DSP (digital signal processor) core.

The Tablet is equipped with 64 MB of RAM memory. It lacks a hard drive, but has 64MB of free Flash space for user files, expandable through an RS-MMC slot. Battery life is approximately three hours of normal operation, according to Nokia.

Some interesting photos of the 770 Internet Tablet's internal circuit boards are available here.

Linux software and SDK

The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet runs an operating system called Nokia Internet Tablet 2005, which Nokia says is derived from Kernel.org Linux kernel 2.6 sources, a Debian filesystem, and other open source software. The user interface consists of the “Hildon” Gnome-based application framework, an on-screen keyboard, and handwriting recognition.

The Nokia 770 is based largely on open source software
According to a presentation given by Jaaksi last spring, key open source components used in the 770, in addition to the Linux kernel, include:

• Gnome desktop environment components — GTK+, Gnome-vfs, Gconf
  
• D-BUS message bus
  
• Matchbox window manager
  
• X.org window server
  
• GStreamer, Helix, EsounD, and SDL multimedia frameworks
  
• Sylpheed email engine
  
• BlueZ bluetooth stack
  
• OMAP Linux DSPgateway
  
• Debian package management system

The growing list of application software freely downloadable for the 770 from Maemo.org currently includes ports of Abiword, GAIM (an instant messaging client), an ebook reader, and various games.

To support the developer and ISV communities, Nokia offers a complete source distribution and software development kit for the 770's Linux distribution, available as Debian source and binary packages, and as a 125MB download from Maemo.org.

Except for the hardware adaptation layer, certain user interface elements, and third-party software, the device is based entirely on open source software, according to the company.

The 770's open source software can be downloaded from Maemo.org as a complete filesystem, or managed as a collection of Debian source and binary packages. This enables enterprise developers and ISVs to easily create and test software for the device, Nokia says.

Other resources offered on Maemo.org include screenshots, a software roadmap, an FAQ, and more.

Nokia's VP of convergence products, Janne Jormalainen, said, “Linux and the Open Source development platform provide us with fast and efficient solutions to build products for this new Nokia product category.”

“This is the first step in creating an Open Source product for broadband and Internet services,” added Jormalainen. “We will be launching regular updates of the software. The next software release, planned for the first half of next year, will support more presence-based functionalities, such as VoIP and instant messaging.”

Summary of the 770's specifications

Nokia lists the following additional specifications for the 770 Internet Tablet:

• Display — 800×480 pixel (WVGA) 4.3-inch touchscreen with up to 65,536 colors
• Memory:
  • RAM — 64MB DDR RAM
  • 128MB Flash with > 64MB for user
  • Memory card — 64MB RS-MMC (Reduced Size MultiMediaCard)
• Wireless communications:
  • WLAN — 802.11b/g
  • Bluetooth 1.2
    • For Internet connection and file transfer via phone
      
    • Profiles supported — dial-up networking, file transfer, generic access, SIM access, and serial port profiles
• Audio:
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack port
  • Built-in speaker and microphone
• Other connections:
  • USB device mode for PC connectivity
  • RS-MMC
  • Power connector (2mm)
• Software:
  • Operating system — Internet Tablet 2005 software edition
  • Applications (in 2005 software edition) — Web Browser, Flash player version 6, Email client, Internet radio, news reader, media players, image viewer, PDF viewer, file manager, search, calculator, world clock, notes, sketch, games
  • Supported file formats:
    • Audio — MP3, Real Audio, MPEG4, AAC, WAV, AMR, MP2
    • Image — JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PNG, Animated GIF format, SVG-tiny, ICO
    • Video — MPEG1, MPEG4, Real Video, H.263, AVI, 3GP

  • Language Support:
    • User Interface — British English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, American English, Canadian French, Mexican Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese
    • User's Guide: Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Greek, Czech, Hungarian, Russian, Canadian French, Brazilian Portuguese, Mexican Spanish
• Physical specs:
  • Size — 5.5 x 3.1 x 0.7 inches (141 x 79 x 19 mm)
  • Weight — 230 g
  • Color — Black and matte silver
  • Operating temperature — -10 to +55 degrees C
  • Battery —
    • Type — BP-5L
    • Capacity — 1500 mAh
    • Browsing time — 3 hours
    • Standby time — 7 days
• Sales package contents:
  • Nokia 770 Internet Tablet
  • 2 stylus pens
  • Pouch
  • Battery (BP-5L)
  • Travel charger (AC-4)
  • 64 MB RS-MMC memory card
  • Connectivity cable DKE-2 (USB)
  • Desk stand DT-7
  • User guide
  • Quick start guide

  Options:

  • Mobile charger (DC-4)
  • Charger adapter (CA-44)
  • RS-MMCs

Availability

The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet is currently shipping, and can be ordered online directly from Nokia. The device is priced around $350. It may also be available with service plans from carrier partners, the company has said.

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This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.