Daily Marauder

DROP IT LIKE ITS NOT HOT: NOKIA N810

Introducing the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. . .featuring a photo backstage at this year’s Grammys.

Surf the internet, check your e-mail, watch videos, listen to music, find your way to the next “it” restaurant with a GPS-enabled map, this little gadget does pretty much everything.

The problem? It does pretty much everything. Yes, yes, the iPhone was chastised after launch as a device that similarly does it all. Remember this Conan O’Brien sketch?

Here’s the difference. The iPhone is easy to use. This device? Not so much. Just to make sure I hadn’t turned technology incapable, I reached out to my friend and media executive, Rishi Malhotra, VP of HBO on Demand and Advance Platform Marketing.

Malhotra’s observations:

Where is the power button?

The power button is the smallest button on the entire device. “I shouldn’t have to work to turn the thing on. The power button should find me,” he commented.

2 Device World

Like it or not, most of us still have to carry two devices around throughout the day. Apple, the sooner you can upgrade the iPhone as enterprise solution, the better. The N810 is one large and in charge device clocking 5 x 2.83 x 0.55 inches and weighing just under 8 ounces. “You can’t carry two devices if this is one of them without getting your pants re-tailored,” Malhotra quipped.

Who do you WORK for?

Apologies for the Austin Powers reference, I use any opportunity. The N810 sports a full keyboard for the business user but a desk stand for the more leisurely user. Begs the question, who is this device targeted to?

Overview

In essence, more does not equal better. The iPhone is #2 in the smartphone market primarily due to its usability. More features mean nothing if the user either doesn’t know they exist or doesn’t know how to use them.

Final Word

Thumbs Down from me and it looks like Rishi feels the same.

Price

At $439, this bad boy aint cheap.