Before we get all sensationalist, let’s actually look at the device history which seems to inform this “Nokia iphone”. The nokia 700 was the first form factor like this, released 2 years ago, and sharing quite a few of the touch based gestural controls that the Iphone sports. Never a GSM/CDMA handset, and more a practical PDA with lots of high end functionality, the 700 was really a joy to use.

Enter the Nokia N800, Nokia actually bringing this PDA style device into the N range. Like the 700, but with evolved features and a tested Linux based OS, the N800 sports Youtube playback, native VOIP, 3rd party development through the MAEMO OS with some fantastic functionality and at once a true wifi device, one can see why the 800 was given the N range seal of approval.

So here we are with the imminent release of a device that is clearly at least in form factor and function an evolution of these devices, why go off about it being an iphone ripoff? It’s clearly not, but through Iphones incredibly successful ‘ownership’ of this type of gestural interface and form factor in a handset, its the obvious sensationalist thing to say.

I say that if Nokia are true to the development arc of the 700 and the N800, this upcoming device will piss all over the Iphone - VOIP as a native app, open development on Maemo, evolved gestural input and a solid OS kernel mean that despite Iphones incredible marketing machine - I’d rather have one of these over an iphone any day of the week.

http://www.al4ie.com/?p=862

Proof of concept!? Unbelievable, Virus companies are actively trying to find ways to infect our phones so they can sell us anti-viral. *Fumes*.