As you get into the larger devices netbooks have become a big factor largely driven by cost which while not the key factor for everyone is a serious detail. The average prices are less than $500 and while you need a bag to carry them around they can run Windows or Linux and familiar applications from the desktop (or larger laptops).

Walt Mossberg offers some good point / counter points in today’s column:

Netbooks still constitute a smaller niche than laptops and the exploding smart phone, or hand-held computer, category. But they are threatening to break into the mainstream in a big way, especially in an economic climate where a low price and fewer bells and whistles are suddenly more attractive.

They are much more portable than most standard laptops. They are easier to use on a plane or carry around town. And they are way cheaper, between $300 and $500, than the very lightest, thinnest standard laptops, which often top $1,000.

Compared with even an amazingly powerful pocket device, like the iPhone, the Google (GOOG) G1, or the forthcoming BlackBerry Storm, a netbook, at about twice the price, offers a much larger keyboard and screen. And they can run far more sophisticated software and perform a much wider variety of computing tasks.

But netbooks come with serious compromises. While they are great for light use on the go, their cramped screens and keyboards, and slow processors, make them much less potent and less comfortable to use than even a so-called ultraportable laptop. And, as small as they are, they can’t fit in a pocket like smart phones can, be as easily used as a still camera, or function as a cellphone.

I’ve been actively considering a netbook since I tend to read so much news about them. My biggest issue is actually usage. I already carry a Lenovo X61 for work which is a 13″ 3.5 pound laptop. The size, power and weight are all excellent and I can’t see adding a second 3 pound machine to my bag when the while reason I scaled down in size was to cut the weight in half. I could see using the netbook as a hobbyist to tinker at home and maybe on short personal trips …

The power and flexibility offered in today’s (and soon to come) pocketable devices is really where it’s going to get interesting. A phone tends to be th emost personal device we carry and something that along with your keys and wallet is always with us. As it becomes more powerful and offers an increasing degree of flexibility to do things I might have previously had to do from a tabletop or lap, our lives will really start to change. Unlike most netbooks, a phone (or at least what we call phones today) is a connected device and with that we get access to - well whatever we need from where ever we want.

Technorati Tags: Nokia, N97, N810, mobile, mobile computer, travel, productivity, netbook, laptop

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Technorati Tags: Nokia, N97, Nseries, mobile, nokiaworld2008

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Technorati Tags: nokia, n97, nseries, nokiaworld2008, mobile

(more pictures to come - need more connection speed!)

Today Nokia announced the Nokia N97, the new flagship of the Nseries line.  The N97 brings a QWERTY keyboard to Nseries for the first time as well as continuing the touch UI (S60 5th Edition) introduced in the 5800 Express Music.  The home screen is all new and what I can only describe as a widget-top, giving you instant access to content that matters to you in your connected life.

There’s a clear emphasis on context which enables you to get both geographically and time sensitive information delivered at a glance.  The N97’s homescreen will be customizable to allow both Nokia and 3rd party developers to activate WRT (Web Runtime) widgets without having to launch an application.   Essentially live feeds at a glance.  For the connected the social networking enthusiast, this will be a must have device.

The keyboard slides and tilts from the longer side revealing a very comfortable raised typing surface.  While I only had a limited time to type around it seemed very easy to get used to and absolutely like something on which I could do ton of messaging.  It’s great to see QWERTY FINALLY on an Nseries!  Nokia has typically made you choose between E and N series for a device that does what you want most of the time and with the N97 there’s finally a single unit that can handle everything.

The new homescreen is an awesome way to provide direct access to information within an instant.  During our briefing with Nokia we learned that they consider the N97 a new category of device and one that is more a mobile computer than the prior generation of multimedia computers.  The N97 offers a massive amount of functionality in a very reasonably sized package.  The screen is 640×360 and is just gorgeous.  Contrast was excellent and colors (all 16 Million of them) seemed quite vibrant!  You can customize every part of the homescreen which is remarkably something that we’ve not had previously in S60 devices.  You can add, remove or just slide any of the widgets around to make things just how you like them.  When you rotate the device between portrait and landscape modes, things nicely re-align.

On first glance the N97 compares to the 5800 in size and seems like it’s older brother … until you slide the keyboard out and realize you’ve got an altogether new breed in hand.  While it’s not a small device, the N97 feels great in your hand and can easily be used while walking without needing two hands in most cases.  The virtual keyboards (numbers and T9) were clear and the softkeys seemed eas to access for quick data entry.  Of course for larger text needs a quick flip and you’ve got a real keyboard at your disposal.  Weight (Approx. 150 g) felt semi-comparable to the E71 and in the front pocket of my jeans it was not in any way uncomfortable.

There’s much more to this device than I can possibly do justice in an initial post.  When this goes live I’ll be listening to the keynotes and will report back after further Q&A.

Tomorrow will reveal a new device from Nokia and there’s certainly a great deal of speculation from the bloggers here on what we’ll see. I’m really looking forward to getting some hands-on time with our “something new” though I think beyond the hardware I am hoping we will also be able to get a much more clear view into how Nokia’s Services will work.

Nokia announced Ovi at Nokia World last year and has done quite a bit to kick start the brand though many would also argue they’ve yet to do enough. To date, the services have largely existed as individual components rather than an integrated solution and that’s what I’m hoping will really change.

Hardware is a key component to how things work while mobile, but an integrated service solution is what will actually drive both usage and adoption … not too mention selling more hardware.

Assuming we see a high end device (what we are all hoping for here) it will likely be one of many things to come in 2009. Scoble feels we are looking at make or break time for Nokia which is a bold statement and something I totally disagree with. As Michael Gartenberg states, “Nokia’s future hinges on more than just one device.” I believe Nokia has around 50 devices for sale in various markets and offers something from the very low end entry to the ultimate high end. There’s no doubt that the iPhone single SKU (2 with drive size) strategy is simpler, but the iPhone is not the device for everyone or every market.  Mindshare (and the growing market share) are something to keep watching … when you are the global market leader, there’s typically only one way to go …

I’ll post as much as possible over the next few days with live updates, tweets and multimedia … stay tuned!

Technorati Tags: nokiaworld2008, nokia, marketing, mobile, apple, Ovi, services

I’m far from sold on the whole wimax notion … particularly given the focus on markets that already have solid (and very competitive) 3G service.

Technorati Tags: xohm, clearwire, sprint, wimax

Technorati Tags: t-mobile, roaming, data, international, travel

Technorati Tags: t-mobile, roaming, data, international, travel

Technorati Tags: American Airlines, Admirals Lounge, AA.com, wifi, t-mobile