'Mini-Laptop' From Nokia To Compete with Netbooks

By Jennifer LeClaire, newsfactor.com - Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:16PM EDT

Nokia is getting into the netbook game. The mobile-phone maker announced Monday the Nokia Booklet 3G, a Windows-based netbook with an Intel Atom processor that is set to compete in a crowded, but growing, market.

As Nokia sees it, more people want the computing power of a PC with the full benefits of mobility. Kai Oistamo, Nokia's executive vice president for devices, said the Booklet 3G is a natural evolution for a company in the business of connecting people.

"Nokia has a long and rich heritage in mobility and with the outstanding battery life, premium design, and all-day, always-on connectivity, we will create something quite compelling," Oistamo said. "In doing so we will make the personal computer more social, more helpful, and more personal."

Connecting Nokia Products

The Booklet 3G uses Intel's Atom processor and offers up to 12 hours of battery life. Nokia promises its latest innovation will deliver the experience of a full-function PC in an ultraportable box with a 10-inch glass high-definition-ready display.

Nokia isn't calling the Booklet 3G a netbook. The company has labeled it a mini-laptop. It weighs 1.25 kilograms, is about two centimeters thin, and has a variety of connectivity options. Users can choose to connect via 3G/HSPA or Wi-Fi to get high-speed Internet access.

The mini-laptop is also equipped with an HDMI port for HD video out, a front-facing camera for video calling, integrated Bluetooth, and a SD card reader. The Booklet 3G even comes with integrated A-GPS which, working with the Ovi Maps gadget, can pinpoint a user's position and create a personal map.

The Booklet 3G aims to bring Ovi experiences to life, whether it's access to song tracks through the Nokia Music Store or using Ovi Suite to sync from a Nokia smartphone to the mini-laptop to the cloud. Ovi is Nokia's suite of Internet services, which includes games, maps, media, messaging and music.

Will Carriers Pick Up the Booklet 3G?

Although the Booklet 3G appears to be an attractive device, Nokia is late to the netbook market, according to Michael Gartenberg, a vice president at Interpret. Nokia is going head-to-head with PC vendors who know the space well.

"While consumers are used to buying Nokia phones, will they be interested in buying computers from them?" Gartenberg pondered. "Certainly, Nokia's tablets haven't fared well in the marketplace. But a lot of Nokia's success here is going to depend upon what it can leverage in terms of distribution, branding and marketing."

If the Booklet 3G is an expensive unlocked device that's only sold in Nokia stores, it's going to get a different reception than if it's carrier-subsidized, Gartenberg said. Carriers seem to be somewhat interested in picking up netbooks, he continued, so Nokia may do well if the carriers are willing to sell the device.

Nokia said it will offer detailed specifications, market availability, and pricing at Nokia World on Sept. 2.

Source : Yahoo Tech News