Nokia has been described as the largest computer maker in the world. They hold roughly 30% marketshare in the mobile phone market, which is expected to reach 700 million units in 2005. This means that Nokia sells more mo-phones each year, than personal computers are sold by all computer makers combined.

So, when Nokia announces a Linux-based internet tablet called the Nokia 770, it means a tectonic shift is underway.

The list price for this device is $350, according to reports. I think we’re looking at the machine which will shortly become the “$100 computer” desired by MIT and others to crack the developing world’s market. This has the potential to be almost everything a normal person needs in a computer, relegating desktops and even laptops to a niche. Running Linux, hackers will have a ball with this device, extending it in ways we can’t imagine yet, and increasing its value with every new application they create.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 30th, 2005 at 11:59 am and is filed under Open Source. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.