Polls Polls Polls (and a Nokia give-away for your opinion)

Today, I am asking two questions. The first and most important to me:

What's your favorite development on the Nokia Internet Tablet platform so far? This can be hardware, software, third-party applications, people-acquisition, partnerships, or more. Leave your answer in a comment to this post.

The second is a poll in it's usual right side-bar on tabletblog.com:
Do you carry your Internet Tablet around with you?

• Yes - the Internet Tablet is always in my pocket.
• Usually - It's handy to have, but I can leave it behind.
• Sometimes - When I think I'll need it.
• Rarely - Only in specific situations.
• Never - It's used at home or at the office exclusively.
  

The results of the last poll are in:
"Would you spend $40-$50/month for WiMAX service on your Internet Tablet?"

Yes.	21 (9%)
Yes, but only if I can share the connection with other computers.	69 (30%)
No. It's too expensive for what it provides.	77 (33%)
No. WiFi/Bluetooth is enough.	63 (27%)

60% of users say no outright. 30% wish to use their WiMAX Internet Tablet as a modem for other devices (myself included.) and only 9% say that it's a good price plan for the service. We'll see what Sprint/Clearwire/XOHM (or whatever it turns out to be) offers.

Finally: If you own a Nokia N810, visit the OS2008 User Site from your tablet and click on "Nokia N810 survey" icon displayed above. There are about a dozen questions about usage and participants will be entered to win an Internet Tablet music package with Nokia Advanced Headphones and Nokia Mini Speakers. I started filling in the survey myself, but would rather have one of you win the prizes so did not enter.

OS2008 Diablo leaks

Brighthand reported this past weekend that OS2008's update, scheduled for this summer, has already leaked. The report came from an InternetTabletTalk thread showing discussing it.

Apparently this OS upgrade is different from previous firmware changes in many regards: It doesnt' break application compatibility for most applications. OS2008 Chinook applications should work under OS2008 Diablo. Also, the mail client is finally changed! We welcome the Modest client.

There are more, but the update is not yet official. We'll know all the details when it comes in the release notes.

Finally, Brighthand also has an editorial called "It's not the hardware. It's the user experience that's broken." This mirrors many of my thoughts in a previous editorial basically stating that the software experience needs to catch up with the hardware excellence. It's coming. I hope.

On a final note: The ThoughtFix studio is now under construction in the new apartment. There's much unpacking to do, but expect more video and live shows in the near future.

N810 development team featured in Fortune

The latest issue of Fortune Magazine has a piece highlighting the global development team of the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. Some of my favorite names and faces are missing (you know who you are) but some great people I've met are in there. If you would like to put faces to many of the names you've seen and heard, take a look at the article on CNN Fortune.

Photo by David Yellin, borrowed from the CNN piece. Please don't sue me!

CarryMobile case for the N810 reviewed by GottaBeMobile

My friend Rob Bushway, who I had the pleasure of meeting at CES, got his hands on an N810 case from CarryMobile.com and reviewed it on GottaBeMobile.com. Hop on over for the video. If you're not an existing GottaBeMobile reader - consider subscribing and joining their forums.

Rob: What do you think of the N810 as a device, hmm?

Mac owners get Video Converter too!

The Internet Tablet Video Converter (original post and video) now has a native Mac OS X version. I took a look at it and it seems to be functionally identical to the PC version but my testing at home seems to be quite fast. Take a look at the Nokia Beta Labs blog for more information or just go download it yourself!

The Mac client and updates (including a developer API update) are a direct result of user requests and feedback. Let's keep telling Nokia what we want.

How the N810 helped me

Yesterday, I moved into my new apartment. I am not done (still cleaning and set-up to do) but I would have hated to be without my N810 for the day.

• GPS! The Wayfinder subscription really paid off. I knew, in general, where my new apartment is but had only visited it once before. The GPS got me there and back without a problem. Also, the GPS helped me find a good route to work from the new apartment.
  
• Email! As usual, internet access was cut and packed up for the day. My N810 paired with my N95-3 got me online and in touch.
  
• Web! I don't realize how much I rely on web searches to help me until the computer is not available. I didn't know phone numbers for utility companies and other needs but was able to find them with quick Google searches.
• Entertainment! It's amazing how tedious boxing, moving, and unboxing can be. Having some music or a video in the background helped.

This would all have been a lot more annoying with a laptop or bigger device. The only time the N810 spent charging was in the car while I was driving. That's all it needed. The more time I spend with this tablet, the more I wonder how Internet-dependent people live without one.

WiMAX deals finally prevail

Finally the US WiMAX market has some direction. According to CNN (via Engadget) Sprint and Clearwire will merge their efforts with more investments from Intel, Google, Time Warner Cable, Comcast, and Bright House Networks.

I dislike the idea of a WiMAX monopoly (which will be sold under the Clearwire name even though Sprint will have a 51% stake) but I hope this means a single WiMAX account will work in any area with WiMAX coverage. As other N95-3 owners (Hi Jonathan and Reggie) know, It's disappointing when slightly different tower standards are the difference between GPRS, EDGE, and HSDPA on the same device.

While Clearwire will be the wholesale branding of the WiMAX rollout, I hope that the XOHM brand name stays. I just like their logo. I also like saying it like "Zoom!"

Interface poll results, WiMAX poll

Forgive the lack of content lately. Next week I'll be done moving and will have dedicated office space in the new place for more video and live chats.

The Internet Tablet OS interface poll was interesting! Here are the results:

iPhone style	69 (36%)
Asus Eee style	29 (15%)
Mylo COM2 style	2 (1%)
Symbian style	34 (18%)
Canola style	85 (45%)

People love Canola and the iPhone! For myself, I'd say those are my top choices too. We'll see what comes out of the next development cycle. It may be a wholly new interface or may not change at all. We'll find out.

This week's poll: Are you interested in WiMAX? I will guess that an unlimited WiMAX plan would be between $40 and $50 per month. I would also assume (though may be wrong) that only the Internet Tablet can use the WiMAX radio and it cannot be shared with other devices. Assume the WiMAX coverage works in your area when answering. Would you spend $40-$50 to have your tablet always online?

• Yes.
• Yes, but only if I can share the connection with other computers.
• No. It's too expensive for what it provides.
• No. WiFi/Bluetooth is enough.

As usual, the poll is on the main page of tabletblog.com.

p.s. I have something extra special planned in a couple weeks - including a new conversation directly from Nokia!

Nokia N810 WiMax Edition price already drops!

Not two days after we broke the news on the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition price on Buy.com, they go ahead and lower the cost!

The new product page shows $47.01 off the MSRP instead of the original $23.01. Additionally, new Google Checkout customers can get an additional $10 off. Way to keep us on our toes, buy.com!

Nokia N810 WiMax Edition gets a price

According to this page on buy.com, the Nokia N810 WiMax Edition has an MSRP of $479 and will be sold for $455. It's not in stock, of course, and there is still no word on WiMAX coverage and price plans yet, so we wait.