The Nokia 770 web pad lacks a “killer app” to make it useful on a daily basis, writes blogger Russell Beattie. However, the device is much more open than previously available mobile devices, and as a result could serve as the development platform for mobile innovation, Beattie suggests.

Beattie says the 770 overcomes many hurdles inhibiting innovation on previously available mobile devices. These hurdles include limited screen size and connectivity, locked-down operating systems, and limited keyboard entry support (the 770 supports bluetooth keyboards).

In particular, the 770's open operating system will appeal to hackers, Beattie believes. He writes:

[Currently available device OSes] are either sandboxed with Java, extorted by Qualcomm using Brew, dealing with the devil using Windows Mobile, backing a dead-horse with Palm, or struggling with Symbian. Even mobile Linux is usually locked down or modified in weird ways. This is where the 770 really shines: It uses a version of basic desktop Debian Linux. Available from source. To make an app, just take advantage of the Gnome based widgets (if you want), recompile for the ARM processor and off you go. This is pretty awesome.

Likely 770 applications envisioned by Beattie include instant messaging (much cheaper than SMS), VoIP (voice-over-IP), streaming music or podcasts from home machines, network gaming with add-on bluetooth joysticks and other controllers, and videochat a laNintendo Picto-chat.

Beattie further suggests that service providers may ultimately subsidize the Nokia 770's hardware costs, much as carriers today subsidize mobile phone hardware costs.

Beattie's full blog post can be found here.

Details on the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet are here.

 
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