Having just released the new N800 / N810 firmware, which supports new firmwar updates without the need for a full reflash, Nokia have produced their first (in a long time) OTA update for a mobile phone, the N78. Although it’s only just started shipping, the firmware improves areas such as Bluetooth stability, music playback, optimized camera performance and navi-scroll sensitivity.  The key point is that this update also does not need a full reflash, and hence all settings and software are kept intact.  In fact, Nokia has (currently) gone as far as only releasing this update as an OTA update, removed the need to use the Nokia Software Updater at all (which is good for some, as they’ve still not fix the Vista compatibility issues).  With many other Symbian phones supporting OTA updates, it will be interesting to see whether Nokia continue the trend and release all firmwares this way.

Nokia have announced two major updates today. Firstly, they have announced they are purchasing the remainder of the Symbian shares they do not already own, and will therefore take complete control of Symbian. As part of this purchase, Nokia have also announced that they will turn portions of Symbian (the OS), S60 and UIQ (controlled by Sony Ericsson and Motorola) into Open Source, via the new Symbian Foundation. This process will take a couple of years, but follows in the footsteps of the work Nokia has put into the Maemo community (for their Internet Tablets). This bodes well for the future of the platforms.

In other news, Nokia have also released a major OS (firmware) update for the N800 and N810 Internet Tablets. Apart from lots of bugfixes, and some improvements in the applications, the key new feature is that future OS updates will be able to be installed without a full reflash of the firmware back to factory condition.

Nokia has released details of it’s newest Internet Tablet, the N810 WME (WiMax Edition). Although it will only be available (for 2008 at least) in the US, it still brings some interesting features to the current range. It’s based on the N810, so still features the QWERTY keyboard and built in GPS added with the N810. On top of that, Nokia have added WiMax (which adds a little extra depth to the back of the unit to accommodate the WiMax antenna). Nokia have managed to keep the WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity options for when WiMax isn’t available (or you are at home /work, and want to utilise your own existing connections).

The most interesting features, though, come with the new version of the OS. This includes a number of bug fixes and an improved email client. However, it also features “Seamless Software Update” which Nokia claims to remove the need for periodic system updates. It’s not clear whether this is an automated version of the current Application Manager update process, or whether it’s similar to the User Data Preservation feature of some of the newer Nokia N-Series devices. The new OS should be available in the Summer for both the N800 and N810 devices.

If you own a Nokia Tablet and a recent Windows Mobile smartphone, you’ll be aware that many Windows smartphones now only support PAN (Personal Area Network) to allow external devices (such as Tablets) to use the phone for Internet access. Unfortunately, the Nokia tablets ship with only Bluetooth DUN (Dial Up Networking) support built in, meaning that although they will work fine with Nokia phones and many other phones (including the 3 SkypePhone), they don’t work with the WM phones… until now.

You need to be running the latest OS2008 to be able to use it, but the application integrates nicely into the OS to make it appear like the functionality was always there.

Head here for more information. [Via jkOnTheRun]

Nokia have released a minor firmware update for the N810 / N800 OS2008 version. If you are still using the 770 Internet Tablet, there’s an OS2008HE version for you, although you’ll need to read the Maemo website to fully understand the problems / issues you will face using this OS.

Head to here for more details, and a link to the download page (it’s on the right). However, this new firmware only fixes one thing - “This release fixes the power on (boot) problem only.” It’s recommended if you are not suffering from this problem to skip this update. As usual, the Nokia download servers are struggling a little, so you might want to wait a day or two as well.

Update: Having said that, it appears Nokia’s Europe Support Site says it includes stability enhancements, and recommends everyone upgrade - we still say hang tight for a day or two.

Update (2): There are about 4 other fixes included, which relate to underlying libraries, which may be more issues for developers, and not problems that a normal user will see.  As such, it’s probably still not worth upgrading, unless you really really want to.

Nokia has updated a couple more of it’s beta applications - Nokia PC Phone (which allows you to access many functions of your S40 / S60 phone from a PC browser; but only over USB), and the Internet Tablet Video Converter (to convert videos into an optimised format for your 770 / N800 / N810 Internet Tablet). The latter now supports Vista, has some minor UI updates, new input video codecs, and new output video codecs supported (for even better video output).

As well as updating the Nokia Channels app, Nokia have released an updated version of the Video Converter for their Internet Tablet range, which we previously covered here. Head over to the Nokia Beta Website for more information on the update. A key new feature is the creation of an API, allowing other developers to expand the functionality of the software. We’ll note that they are working on Vista and OS X versions of the Converter, and have not ruled out supporting a Linux desktop version in the future.

Play.com are currently selling the N800 at £129.99 with Free Delivery, and are showing the item as in stock. Couple this with a Bluetooth GPS and a Bluetooth Keyboard, and you have the equivalent of the new N810 without the price.

Whether you are running OS2008 on your new N810, had previously run the OS2008 Beta on your N800, or were simply waiting for the formal release; this week Nokia released the formal release of OS2008 for the N800, and at the same time released an updated firmware for the N810. In fact, the firmware is identical to both units, which bodes well for the future support of both units in the near future. The Nokia download site is still a little busy with everyone downloading this update, so you may want to wait another day or so before trying.

If you are interested in what comes with the new OS, Nokia has also launched an OS2008 website.

If you have a Symbian GPS enabled phone, and want to turn it into a Bluetooth GPS for another device to be able to use the GPS signal, then Symarctic’s ExtGPS maybe the solution. It allows the GPS signal to be accessed over Bluetooth by other devices. This is a Java application, not a Symbian specific one, so will potentially work with other phones too, but so far we’ve only seen reports of success using it on Nokia phones. Best of all, it’s also free!

This could allow you to carry a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet and a Nokia N95 phone, yet still be able to utilise the GPS from the N95 on the N800.

Photo courtesy of Symbian in Motion.

Canola v2, a very impressive and complete media tool for your Nokia Internet Tablet is due to go into Beta next week. The authors have put up a (Flash based) teaser website showing the capabilities of the new version. Interesting to note that the demos show the application running on both the newest Nokia tablet, the N810, as well as the earliest, the Nokia 770.

There’s a new firmware available for the N800 - the new ITOS2008 firmware, which brings a number of features from the N810 to the N800. However, right now, the ITOS2008 is still in Beta, and it’s more for developers than users. For example, the new Navigation software on the N810 is not yet available for this version, and you’ll lose Skype too. Best to wait a few more weeks for the final firmware to be released.

Brodit has launched it’s first mount for a Nokia Internet Tablet, in this case, the N800. Although the N800 Navigation Kit comes with a Nokia mount, these cannot be purchased individually.

Many people are using their N800 with the very respected Maemo Mapper freeware application, and hence need a facility for mounting their tablet in the car. The mount is available in two versions, the second also containing a built in power cable for keeping the battery of the N800 charged up.

The recently launched Nokia N810 ships with a (slightly unwieldy) Nokia mount in the box, but we suspect Brodit will launch a mount similar to this which supports it in the near future.

Brodit mounts come in two parts, a device specific part, and a car specific part, creating a very nice custom mount that rarely looks out of place. However, these parts don’t come cheap, but as users of Brodit parts for many years now, we recommend them.

Nokia Beta Labs has just released a video converter for their Internet Tablets, allowing you to resize your videos for the 770 / N800 / N810 tablets. You can drag and drop videos onto the converter, which is currently Windows only. This provides a nice convenient interface to transferring your videos to the tablet.

This is an interesting development… Access have released a beta version of an application that creates a virtual Palm OS environment on the Nokia Internet Tablets, which allows you to run all manner of Palm apps. Although in beta, they have versions for the 770, N800 and the new N810 tablet (pictured above).

So far, they have stated you will be able to run Google Maps™, Snappermail®, DateBk5 and popular games like Bejeweled®, PacMan and Sudoku. They also have a compatibility feedback system to allow users to confirm which additional third party applications work and don’t work.

As well as including some of the standard built in apps, the virtual device also supports Hotsync, opening up the ability to have a copy of your Outlook contacts and diary on your tablet, something not easily available with the native apps today.

Head on over to Access’ Garnet VM Beta webpage for more information.

Boingo has launched Boingo Mobile for Nokia, which, for £3.95 gives your Nokia wifi-enabled phone, or Nokia Internet Tablet access to the whole Boingo wifi network (and partners). This compares to the normal Boingo worldwide unlimited option which is roughly three times as much.

The Boingo Mobile website also includes software to install to your device to support your Boingo account.

Between this and FON, maybe the idea of ubiquitous wireless is starting to happen…

I see the Boingo Mobile website already has a picture of the (launched today) N810 - nice going Boingo.

Nokia will later today announce their 3rd Internet Tablet, the N810. This is likely to run alongside the N800, but adds a built in GPS, Navigation software, and a sliding keyboard.

More pictures available at the Linux for Home Automation website.

Specs also now available at the Linux for Home Automation website.

Picture courtesy of Nokia.