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.

Nokia UK now has stocks of the new N810 Internet Tablet, and they are now available from the Nokia UK Store. We’re hoping to bring you a review of the N810 soon.

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.

Thoughtfix, who runs the popular Tabletblog, also runs a UMPC blog. Yesterday he released a long review comparing the Nokia N810 with the small Asus Eee PC. Read the article to see which may be best for you.

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.

Earlier this month BT announced a joint venture with FON called BTFON. This allows BT Total Broadband users to share a little of their home broadband in return for having access to all other FON wifi spots across the world, and BT OpenZone access.

Also, McDonald’s have announced free wifi at 1200 restaurants by the end of the year. This will be provided by The Cloud, although the chargeable BT Openzone access will continue to exist.

A few points about BTFON:

• Only BT Total Broadband BTFON users get BT Openzone access - normal FON users don’t get it - sign up to Boingo / Boingo Mobile / Boingo Mobile for Nokia instead.
• FON users do get access to every BTFON wireless access point
• As a FON user, you can get paid some money for the service - this isn’t available on BTFON.
• Depending on your BT Total Broadband account type varies how much BT Openzone access you get - only Option 3 gives unlimited Openzone access.

So, sign up to FON and purchase a FON router, or sign up to BTFON and enable the FON support in your Home Hub (depending on your current ISP), and sign up to Boingo or Boingo Mobile / Boingo Mobile for Nokia (depending on your chosen mobile device), and for a minimal outlay you will have access to thousands of UK wireless hotspots with unlimited access, including, of all places, McDonald’s.

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.