Nokia’s N800 Internet Tablet updates the firm’s Linux-based web device with a beefed up specification and newer technology, such as Adobe Flash 7. Although aimed at mobile users, the device’s reliance on Wi-Fi or a Bluetooth link with a phone handset make it better suited to delivering on-campus access to information instead of a smartphone alternative.

Shipping since the start of February, the N800 is a lightweight (206g) unit that can easily be carried around, and which offers web browsing, IP telephony, instant messaging a media player and support for RSS web feeds.

However, the N800’s 4.1in 800x480 display is too small for web browsing, and we found many pages virtually unreadable unless we used the zoom function of the built-in Opera 8 browser to increase the size of text. This often had the knock-on effect of rearranging the layout of many pages. However, the browser is the full desktop version of Opera and so is capable of displaying pretty much any web page you can access from a PC. The built-in Flash player also helps with this.

Nokia’s Internet Tablets have an open-source development platform, Maemo, which may interest those looking to build their own mobile applications on the N800. The Internet Tablet OS 2007 platform is based on Debian Linux, which should also make it simpler to port existing applications to the device. However, we found the N800 spontaneously reset itself several times while we were using it, calling into question its reliability for business applications.

As well as a faster processor and twice the memory of its predecessor at 128MB RAM and 256MB Flash, the N800 introduces a miniature video camera that pops out from the side of the device. This VGA-resolution unit is intended for making video calls and automatically starts the Internet Call application when deployed. Users need either a Google Talk or Jabber account in order to make video or voice IP calls, but Nokia plans to have a Skype client available on the N800 later this year.

Because the N800 is designed for Wi-Fi access, Nokia has made it simple to find and connect to available hotspots using its Connection Manager. The tool remembers connections that have been previously used, and can store passwords for hotspots that require a login.

Nokia quotes the battery life of the N800 as up to three and a half hours browsing time, which might be limiting for workers using the device as their chief mobile client. However, we found we could use the N800 for longer than this because Nokia’s power management cuts in after a short period of inactivity, and users are unlikely to be browsing continuously for over three hours.

The N800’s chief input method is a stylus and on-screen keyboard, but there are also two navigation controls alongside the display. The N800 has two SD card slots for Flash storage: one inside the battery compartment and one external with a plastic cover.