THE last time Nokia came out with the N800 Internet Tablet, it wasn't a resounding success, not least because the N800 lacked a keyboard and it was quite tiresome to peck at an onscreen keyboard.

The newer N810 Tablet addresses this shortcoming with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. This makes text input much easier and contributes significantly to the usefulness of the device.

What is even more interesting is the paring of the N810 with Singtel's Mobile mio service. Users can make and receive unlimited phone calls via mio as long as they are connected to a WiFi network. It would have been even better if SMS over IP were also available.

Nokia has announced a N810 with Wimax, which would free users from the constraint of being bound to a WiFi network. If and when Wimax comes to Singapore, users would have a truly mobile surfing experience and 3G, and probably WiFi networks too, could well be headed for oblivion.

N810 Internet Tablet

RRP: $788.

Retail: $698 with 12-month mio Mobile contractual period sign-up.

Note: First month free mio Mobile subscription applies. mio Mobile pricing

Registration Fee: $10.70 Subscription: $10.70/mth, with unlimited local outgoing voice calls over the Internet.

Promotion: Free registration fee, and first month free subscription.

Note: mio Plan customers enjoy additional 30% off monthly mio mobile subscription, i.e. $7.49/mth.