Nokia takes on the iPhone with the 3G-enabled N900 internet tablet

We briefly mentioned the then-unannounced N900 in our news round-up last week, but now Nokia has formally unveiled its new internet tablet.

The Nokia N900 closely resembles the previous N810 and has the same sliding two-part case with a large touch-sensitive screen and Qwerty keyboard. The difference this time around is that Nokia has finally come to its senses and fitted onboard 3G, which makes the ‘internet tablet’ premise viable — previous models relied upon Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to get online.

More information, plus lots of photos and video, after the cut.

The Nokia N900 runs the Linux-based Maemo 5 OS and has sufficient power, Nokia claims, to run dozens of applications at the same time. If true, this will be quite an improvement over the Maemo OS used by the earlier N800 and N810 models, which were sluggish enough with just one application running. 1Gb of application memory and 32Gb of onboard storage (with a separate memory card slot) is a serious specification increase over those earlier models though, so perhaps Nokia has cracked it.

Onboard 3G will invite comparisons between the Apple iPhone and indeed, the Nokia N900 can also be used for telephone calls. Nokia is stopping short of calling it a smartphone though, and instead refers to “computer-grade performance in a handset”. That sounds like splitting hairs to us, but we’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.

As with previous models, Linux nuts will love the N900 for its unfettered access to the operating system, but the ability to poke around in a terminal application is unlikely to interest anyone who just wants a user-friendly internet device to carry around. Still, judging by this short walkthrough video that Nokia has posted, Maemo 5 does look like a dramatic improvement over the previous OS2007 (Maemo 3) and OS2008 (Maemo 4) operating systems. Maemo 5 also supports Adobe Flash, which is one up over the iPhone.

The Nokia N900 will be available in ‘select markets’ from October for €500, excluding sales tax and subsidies. That equates to around £550 for an unlocked handset, though subsidised models will undoubtedly be available with mobile phone contracts.

Here’s the full specification, followed by the Nokia press release.

Nokia N900 specifications

• Maemo 5 OS
• 3.5-inch  (800 x 480) resistive touchscreen display
• Qwerty keyboard
• Mozilla-based browser, full Adobe Flash support
• ARM cortex A8 processor
• 32Gb internal memory
• 5.0 MP Carl Zeiss camera with dual-LED flash, auto-focus and sliding cover
• MicroSDHC support up to 16GB
• FM transmitter
• Quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE, WCDMA 900/1700/2100
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth with A2DP
• GPS
• 1320 mAh battery
• 110.9 × 59.8 × 18mm
• 181g

Maemo 5 injects speed and power into mobile computing

The new Nokia N900: Computer-grade performance in a handset

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today marked the next phase in the evolution of Maemo software with the new Nokia N900. Taking its cues from the world of desktop computing, the open source, Linux-based Maemo software delivers a PC-like experience on a handset-sized device.

The Nokia N900 has evolved from Nokia’s previous generation of Internet Tablets and broadens the choice for technology enthusiasts who appreciate the ability to multitask and browse the internet like they would on their desktop computer.

Running on the new Maemo 5 software, the Nokia N900 empowers users to have dozens of application windows open and running simultaneously while taking full advantage of the cellular features, touch screen and QWERTY keyboard.

“With Linux software, Mozilla-based browser technology and now also with cellular connectivity, the Nokia N900 delivers a powerful mobile experience,” says Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Markets, Nokia. “The Nokia N900 shows where we are going with Maemo and we’ll continue to work with the community to push the software forward. What we have with Maemo is something that is fusing the power of the computer, the internet and the mobile phone, and it is great to see that it is evolving in exciting ways.”

Designed for computer-grade performance in a compact size, Maemo complements Nokia’s other software platforms, such as Symbian, which powers Nokia’s smartphones.

“Just as Nokia continues to expand and diversify its device portfolio, so it is deploying multiple platforms to allow it to serve different purposes and address different markets. While we have seen continued growth in Symbian as a smartphone platform, Maemo enables Nokia to deliver new mobile computing experiences based on open-source technology that has strong ties with desktop platforms,” says Jonathan Arber, Senior Research Analyst in Consumer Mobile at IDC.

More multitasking with Maemo

The Nokia N900 packs a powerful ARM Cortex-A8 processor, up to 1GB of application memory and OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics acceleration. The result is PC-like multitasking, allowing many applications to run simultaneously. Switching between applications is simple, as all running content is constantly available through the dashboard. The panoramic homescreen can be fully personalized with favorite shortcuts, widgets and applications.

To make web browsing more enjoyable, the Nokia N900 features a high-resolution WVGA touch screen and fast internet connectivity with 10/2 HSPA and WLAN. Thanks to the browser powered by Mozilla technology, websites look the way they would on any computer. Online videos and interactive applications are vivid with full Adobe Flash™ 9.4 support. Maemo software updates happen automatically over the internet.

Messaging on the N900 is easy and convenient thanks to the full physical slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Setting up email happens with only a few touches and the Nokia Messaging service mobilizes up to 10 personal email accounts. Text message or IM exchanges with friends are shown in one view and all conversations are organized as separate windows.

The Nokia N900 has 32GB of storage, which is expandable up to 48GB via a microSD card. For photography, the Maemo software and the N900 come with a new tag cloud user interface that will help users get the most out of the 5MP camera and Carl Zeiss optics.

The Nokia N900 will be available in select markets from October 2009 with an estimated retail price of EUR 500 excluding sales taxes and subsidies. The Nokia N900 will be displayed at Nokia World, Stuttgart, on September 2. More information on Maemo is available at maemo.nokia.com.

About Nokia

Nokia is a pioneer in mobile telecommunications and the world's leading maker of mobile devices. Today, we are connecting people in new and different ways - fusing advanced mobile technology with personalized services to enable people to stay close to what matters to them. We also provide comprehensive digital map information through NAVTEQ; and equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks.