Product Reviews

Nokia launched the 770 Internet Tablet in 2005, but it has just been updated with a new version of its operating system, which speeds it up and adds new features. The operating system still freezes occasionally, but it's a big improvement.

The 770 is unusual as it doesn't have an integrated SIM card. To access the internet, you can connect to a wireless network, such as a hotspot in a cafe, or connect to a mobile phone with Bluetooth and use the phone's connection. Fortunately, setting up your connection is far easier than it is on a Windows Mobile 5 PDA. The Connection Manager lists any nearby wireless networks and prompts you for a password if needed. Setting up a Bluetooth connection is a little more fiddly, as you have to go through a couple of submenus in the Control Panel, but it's still a world away from the Bluetooth nightmare of Windows Mobile 5.

Once you're connected, the 770 is ideal for browsing the internet. The integrated browser is fast, and the screen's wide 800-pixel resolution enables it to display most webpages without reformatting. The main problem

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with the screen is its grainy texture, which makes images look duller than they should. The 770 is fast enough to scroll quickly around webpages. It has no Flash support, though, so you can't use it to view certain multimedia sites such as YouTube.

The 770 also has a powerful integrated email client. You can set it up to connect to a POP3 or IMAP4 server. Getting it up and running is easy with the Account Setup Wizard. If you're using a slow connection, you can download just the email headers, and then only the full messages in which you are interested. There are two ways to enter text. You can use the onscreen keyboard and the stylus, or the new Thumb Pad. Pressing a text box with your thumb rather than the stylus brings up a larger keypad, which you don't need the stylus to use. There are also built-in instant messaging and VoIP programs.

The tablet comes with an internet radio program and can play MP3 and WMV audio files. Nokia claims it supports AAC, but it wouldn't play our AAC test files. The 770 also supports MPEG4 video, but it can't play anything in native DVD resolution so is no good as a media player.

Nokia's 770 will appeal to only a select group of people. If you want a handheld that is better for browsing the internet than a smartphone, this is a good buy. It's also much cheaper than Tablet PCs such as Samsung's Q1. However, we think you're better off buying a powerful smartphone such as Nokia's award-winning E61, opposite.

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