Nokia blurs boundary between tablet PC and phone

Nokia has unveiled the 7710, a mini-tablet format Symbian OS-powered handset boasting a wide-screen display, multimedia, handwriting recognition and pen input.

The 65,536 colour screen plays host to full internet browser, integrated music player with stereo audio, video features including playback, streaming and recording, a 1megapixel camera with 2x digital zoom and FM radio with Visual Radio client.

Targeted at mobile professionals, the Bluetooth-equipped 7710 supports push email based on the Smartner system, VPN client, free user memory of up to 90MB plus 128MB on the included MultiMediaCard, personal information management features, on-screen keyboard and handwriting recognition.

"The ability to consume, share and create media, as well as using the extensive smartphone features all on a fantastic display, makes the Nokia 7710 a compelling mobile multimedia device," said Richard Sharp, vice president of Rich Media at Nokia.

The device also ships with the moblog mobile blogging client software, the PhotoBase graphics application and a preinstalled e-book reader.

The Nokia 7710 works on GSM/GPRS/EGPRS 900/1800/1900 networks, with shipments in Asia and China planned to begin in the fourth quarter of 2004 and in Europe and Africa in the first quarter of 2005.