cybermathwitch | In love with my "Weblet"...

http://www.internettablettalk.com/2008/04/27/a-manifesto-for-the-walkaround-web-tablet/

The Internet Tablet Manifesto, so to speak. Or rather, a discussion on what/why/hope regarding this nifty little device (the author uses the term "weblet" and I think I like it.)

You see, I have a shiny new Nokia n800 (as previously reported). I am currently figuring things out - the shiny and the not-so-shiny (for example, Rhapsody, as wonderful as it is, is a lying liar that tells lies and the Nokia can't act as a "To Go" device - rather it is capable of streaming Rhapsody directly when attached to the internet itself.) Ultimately, how I want/need this little thing to work for me.

Follow the cut for more specific details of this new toy...

Pros:

ultra-portable (smaller than a paperback novel - only slightly larger than most Palm devices)
built-in wifi (I've had no problems connecting while at friends' houses - can't yet connect at home but that's because our router's frelled, not the weblet's fault (laptop wouldn't be able to connect either))
Very clear, crisp (BIG!) screen - pics look lovely
standard SD card slot (which allows for all sizes using adapters.) My cell currently takes a micro, my laptop can handle all kinds (again with adapters) so I can transfer data easily.
Super easy connection to computers, no software drivers required for a Windows computer (I've tried both XP and Vista) to find and talk to the device

Cons:

Wifi. I've had trouble connecting to "free public" connections that the device picks up - apparently it will "sense" a connection even if said connection ends up not being strong enough to actually surf with. Again, no trouble at people's houses with wifi routers broadcasting, just on-the-go.
Rhapsody to-go doesn't work with this device, despite the Rhapsody website distinctions. I'm not sure if they're including it because technically, if you can connect to the net you can connect and stream rhapsody (most of the "compatible players" of course don't have wireless connectivity) or if it's a fluke/error but it was a disappointment. :( Alternately, if I can find a phone plan that works, this won't be that much of an issue. And it will be capable of playing tracks that I *own* with no problem, just the ones that I'm only subscribed to.
No camera to speak of. The n800 technically has a webcam, but it's purpose in life really is for video feed along with VoiP and Skype calls, not photos (you can get a download that will enable a photo-function) and the image quality is kind of (ok, is REALLY) crap. I knew this going in, mind you. This isn't a surprise. I'd already decided that for my purposes (everything from documenting art and craft work to capturing "moments" and such) I just needed to bite the bullet and ask for a real digital camera for my birthday anyway.
Browsing on wifi is a little bit slow - but only because I'm used to a full broadband connection.
No native PIM
The available e-book readers are a bit limited in terms of which formats they'll read. But there's a pretty decent workaround according to the boards (see below).

Software that (so-far) makes it better:

Xournal - a "notebook" (it even looks like notebook paper!) that allows you to write, type, highlight, draw, etc and make notes. I particularly like the fact that it's default for naming files is the date and time - I find it pretty easy to just tack a reminder of what the file is "book notes" "quote" etc onto the end to keep things organized. It's a scratch-pad, journal, etc that you don't need to worry about wasting trees for. I'm *hoping* that since it can export the files to .pdf I'll have a relatively easy time integrating notes I took on the go with OneNote 2007. I can't test that until my laptop is fixed and back home, though. ::pouts::
GPE - <insert PIM here> functionality - technically, these programs that run on Python should be able to sync with Google. I'm still working on getting the right combination of background programs installed, though.
Garnet VM (Palm OS virtual Machine) - so far, this allows the device to mimic a Palm OS. Which blows the door of available apps wide open. I just got this, so I haven't had a chance to play with it much (more importantly, I haven't had a chance to see how MobiPocket works with it.)

More later - right now I need to go call Mom (Happy Mother's Day everyone!) and go be social. Ish.