Leaked Version of Nokia Internet Tablet OS Shows Minor Updates

Last month, Nokia promised to release a new version of the Linux-based operating system that runs on the N800 and N810 Internet Tablets.

This is intended for the upcoming N810 WiMax Edition, but will also be released for the two current models.

A user at the Internet Tablet Forums has stumbled upon an early build of the next OS version, code-named Diablo, which seems to have been leaked to get some extra testing before its introduction.

What is Diablo?

Diablo will be the next version of Nokia's Maemo Linux operating system. Previously thought of as a considerable operating system overhaul, Diablo will be marketed as the Nokia Internet Tablet 2008 Feature Pack Update.  This update is to include updates such as:

• A change in the email client from the current one to a version code-named Modest
• Tweaks to the microB web browser. However, the rendering engine will still remain the same as Firefox 3 Alpha 1, just as the current version has
• An improved network switcher that will facilitate handing off connections from Wi-Fi to WiMax and vice versa
• Improvements in the finger-UI performance and launching
• A several enhancements to system libraries to improve performance and speed.

Diablo will run almost all of the same programs as the current operating system (OS2008, code named Chinook). However, there will be different repositories for those that choose not to update to Diablo in order to minimize confusion about application compatibility.

When Should One Expect an Official Version of Diablo?

Nokia has typically released the operating system update for previous devices about a month after the on-sale date of newer Internet Tablet devices. It is currently expected that the N810 WiMax Edition will go on sale sometime in June, making for a July/August release of the new operating system as a possibility.

Buy.com has already begun taking pre-orders of the N810 WiMax Edition, indicating that its release is probably not that far off.

All that Nokia has said is that the N810 WE will be released in conjunction with the rollout of Sprint's XOHM WiMax service.

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