Convergence Chasers are always watching for new mobile devices that keep readers/shoppers connected to online services. The most recent comes from Nokia, which is preparing its handheld Internet tablet for a summer launch.
Some details about the Nokia device, courtesy of a May 25 Associated Press article:
Priced at $350, the Internet Tablet is being positioned as an alternative to buying an extra personal computer or laptop for different rooms, providing a cheaper, quicker and less-cumbersome way to connect to the Web and e-mail at home.
There’s no hard drive but rather 128 megabytes of onboard flash memory and a memory card slot. Nokia says the device is not intended as a rival to Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL)’s iPod or other MP3 music players. A software update is expected early next year to add features such as voice-over-Internet telephony and instant messaging.
The device will remind you of earlier attempts to put a smaller-than-a-laptop/bigger-than-a-Palm device in every room of a home. But here’s the difference: The appetite for portability and high-speed access is much greater than four or five years ago. Back then, the idea of a small device that lets you do a Google search on a product that you’ve just seen on TV in between instant messaging some friends while lounging on the couch seemed too sci-fi (or just geeky). Now that search is HUGE and portable devices are everywhere, it’s a much easier for sell for Nokia and PalmOne Inc., which introduced its LifeDrive earlier this month.
The newest wave of these products reminds publishers that today’s Web browser is just one digital-media platform, and that they’ll need to gain the expertise to program for many others to remain competitive. Aggressive companies will pursue content placement deals; others will dig around for some bucks to buy the devices and figure out informal (e.g. no-cost) ways for readers to place content on these new toys.
