Nokia unveils Linux based handheld
Drool. Nokia unveiled its Linux based 770 Internet Tablet at the LinuxWorld summit in New York. The Nokia 770 is absolutely gorgeous, and features “a high resolution touch screen with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 1.2 serving up connectivity”.
- The Nokia 770
The Nokia 770 uses a software platform called Maemo, based around Linux, GTK+, GStreamer, GConf, and dbus. This is a completely open source, free software device. It is so good to see companies like Nokia, Novell, IBM and Sun seeing the light.
Nokia worked in conjunction with a number of Open Source companies on this, such as:
- Opened Hand (press release)
- Imendio (press release)
- Fluendo (there’s no press release yet, but Christian Schaller confirmed their involvement)
And as if to prove that Nokia really do get it, they’ve also issued a press release announcing that it allows all its patents to be used in the further development of the Linux Kernel.
Nokia believes that open source software communities, like open standards, foster innovation and make an important contribution to the creation and rapid adaptation of technologies.
Unlike other open standards, however, many open source software projects rely only on copyright licenses that often do not clarify patent issues. Nokia believes that the investment made by so many individuals and companies in creating and developing the Linux Kernel and other open source software deserve a framework of certainty.
I have to have one of these.
May 26th, 2005 at 2:40 pm
Me too. It’s supposed to come out in Q3. Do you have any leads on hw much it will be?
I
May 26th, 2005 at 2:55 pm
According to this Yahoo! news article it’s meant to retail at $350. Assuming the usual (US price in $ = UK price in £), I’m guessing about £350. Which is kinda pricey, come to think of it. I still want one.
P.S. I know you don’t have a TV, but can you get your hands on one tonight (e.g. invite yourself round to your neighbours or something). I’m really hoping either Jonathan or Jelena get to ask something on Question Time tonight.
May 27th, 2005 at 1:24 pm
I was going to watch it at work next week. I think the bbc streams it.
Whatever happens, you will have to blog about it.
May 27th, 2005 at 1:47 pm
I added a comment to the original post. It didn’t seem to warrant a new entry of its own.
January 11th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
[…] So, the iPhone has been revealed. Excuse me while I try and mop up some of this drool. This is a triumph I can hardly believe. In terms of user interface design, interaction design, and sheer bloody beauty this is a totally revolutionary device. I have never gotten excited by a phone before ever. Nor have I by an MP3 player, although I must admit to being completely seduced by the iPod Shuffle this Christmas—but that was more a “awww, it’s so pretty” thing, rather than a “oh my God, this will change my life forever” thing. As for handheld computers? I’ve never even owned one. (Although I did think the Nokia 770 was cool, at least until I saw the iPhone.) But this? This is one of the most exciting things I have ever seen. Everything about it is just new. A new way to do email, a new way to do SMS, a new way to Voicemail, a new way to interact with a device of any kind whatsoever. Hell, even the interface for making a call is new. And all of it is an improvement. It is simply one of the most amazing devices I have ever seen, and I can well imagine myself being one of those people actually queueing up to buy one when they come out here later this year. One thing is pretty sure: Blackberry, Palm and all those other has beens are pretty much dead in the water from this moment on. […]