Linux alternative to iPhone

Okay, it's not really a phone -- but Nokia's open source N800 tablet has a lot of great things going for it, not least of which is it's $100 cheaper than the iPhone and better still, it's not part of the AT&T network.

If you can get past the fact that it is not a phone (or already have a perfectly good cell phone), here are some features that might sway you to a) get over your iPhone envy and, b) purchase a device that some believe outperforms and outfeatures the iPhone:

• Excellent 802.11 and Bluetooth radios.
• Razor-sharp 4.1", 800x480, 225 pixel/inch color touchscreen.
• Built-in stereo speakers.
• 640x480 Webcam.
• FM receiver.
• USB 2.0 connectivity.
• Two full-size SD card slots with a supported capacity of 2GB each.
• A fast CPU (330MHz).
• 128MB RAM.
• 256MB Internal Flash.
• Slated to get mobile WiMAX next year.
• USB and line-in interfaces to record and playback podcasts.
• Supports Flash 9 and Skype Internet calls which allow users to better browse YouTube videos, play online flash games, and make free Internet calls to other Skype-enabled devices.
• Optional equipment: Nokia navigation kit to use the N800 as a navigation device.

Since the N800 is open source, there are many third party applications which extend its usefulness and fun factor, such as:

Pidgin - full-featured internet messaging client, with AIM, MSN, Yahoo and Jabber support
Canola - media player with network streaming
FBReader - e-book reader
Claws Mail - full-featured email client
Obscura Photo Manager

Other than the killer light touch screen on the iPhone, the N800 has all the right stuff. What do you think? Would you rather have an iPhone or geek out with an N800?

Tags: internet tablet, InternetTablet, iphone, iphone alternative, IphoneAlternative, linux, N800, Nokia, opensource