While the iPod Touch is predominantly portrayed as a multimedia device which can also browse the internet, the utility value is much more than that portrayed by Apple - It actually appears as a real threat to the N series ‘internet tablets’ from Nokia. The N800 tablet is primarily a web browsing device which also supports making VoIP calls using third party clients like Skype and Gizmo. If you compare both the devices, they are very similar in form factor, the Touch in fact much thinner and smaller than the N800. Both are Wi-Fi enabled devices with excellent browsers (Opera with flash on the N800 and Safari without flash on the Touch) and great multimedia capabilities. Though the N800 lacks flashy features like cover flow, it compensates for many of its short comings with an Open SDK and features like UPnP. Again, I am opening the classic debate of if only the iPod had an SDK…
The N800 has a much higher resolution screen (800×600, WVGA) and an onboard mic and camera for making VoIP video calls. This is where the iPod lacks clearly. With no confirmation of having a mic or Bluetooth (apart from some screenshots which purportedly show a BT icon) it is very difficult to get VoIP running on this device. It will be a shame if it cannot do this, because the iPod Touch seems to have the processing power capable of doing all that the N800 can do.
While it may appear that the iPod Touch has an upper hand in terms of storage capacity, don’t forget that the N800 has two memory card slots for adding additional memory.
For people who only want web browsing on the go, the Touch is a very good device. If it has BT and someone can hack it to support DUN, you virtually have full internet experience wherever you go. The touch is also a full $100 cheaper than the N800. But if you want to make VoIP calls and need third party application support, stay with the N800.
Related: The new Nokia N810 vs the iPod Touch vs the Acer eeePC.
{ 0 comments… add one now }