If you're on OS X, there are instructions available on how to upgrade the N800's system image on OS X. Make sure you download the latest N800 system image from here though, since the URL in those instructions is for the N770. (And, you don't have to remove the battery on the N800 to get the information you need to download the upgrade.) I downloaded the latest system image, which, at the time of this post, was called RX-34_2007SE_4.2007.26-8_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin. Finally, place the 770Flasher.app and the system image on the root of your hard drive because I believe that the app has a problem with complicated folder names (it didn't work for me when I had 770Flasher.app in my /Applications folder and the system image in my Web Downloads folder.)
So, how does the N800 perform with Flash 9 content?
What can I say? The first thing I tried was the SWX Service Explorer, which is a Flex 2 application. And it ran. I'm floored right now. This is the first time I'm seeing a Flex application run on a device. It's not snappy but it's not unusable either. Wow! No script timeouts or anything. Love it! 
Next, I went to Papervision3D.org and got the logo but it never went further to display the aquarium (it didn't throw any errors or freeze either). Fair enough, that was a though test.
It's too late and I'm too tired to try anything else out on it tonight but it's so promising. This should be able to handle pretty much any Flash content thrown at it.
Other stuff in brief:
- Videos on this device rock. We watched the one that comes on it with Paul and were blown away.
- The screen is amazing. You can view it from any angle, all the way to 180.
One word of warning: The stylus that it came with appears to have scratched the screen. I tested with the backup stylus in the box and that one didn't do it initially but appears to be scratching it now. I may end up sending this unit back and getting another one as the scratches look to be permanent. What a shame. I can't believe they skimped on the stylus (or didn't provide a scratch-resistant surface/scratch protector.) I mean, I've only been playing with it for half an hour.
Update: Ah, just read this:
On a brand new n800, it had towards the bottom left side of the screen, a silver squared tab. I assumed this tab was there to pull out the whole plastic that commonly covers the whole screen and comes from factory, to protect the screen during transportation.
So, I pulled it and suddenly, only the silver tab, came off the screen. This really seemd strange but, I tought, oh well, there was no factory plastic after all, just a little silver tab sticker.... I really didn't notice, until days later, that there was left something that looked like some kind of "screen protector" film.
I noticed that "protective film" since, after a week of normal use, the screen appeared to look scratched.
When I was at Paul's the same thing happened to me. I thought nothing of it. So apparently it's the temporary screen protector that didn't come off that's getting scratched. Whew!
I can't wait to play with this baby more in the coming days
The Nokia N800 Internet Tablet with Flash 9: First impressions article by Aral Balkan, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 UK: England License.
I contact Nokia Hellas 1-2 months ago and they didn’t know anything about the availability of this device here. Another ***** distributor! Grrr…
Aral whats the price in the UK?
Is the GPS unit available there?
Hey Savvas,
It’s £274.95 VAT at Expansys (about £290 inc. VAT). The GPS unit is available but I’ve read mixed reviews about it (I know my N95’s GPS is practically useless at getting a fix in Brighton/London.)
Hi Aral,
I just got a Nokia N95 recently and am enjoying the GPS feature. I find that it takes about 1 minute for it to query the satellites and give me a position. I also live in Southern California.
At first I was having problems getting more than one satellite, then I found out that I have to open the key pad and tilt the N95 at a 45 deg angel to a clear sky.
Take care of screen!
I recommend that screen protector - http://www.schutzfolien24.de/Displayschutzfolien/Handys/Nokia/n800/Nokia-n800.htm
After 2 weeks extensively using doesn’t have any scratches…
I found it from Expansys too (Nokia Hellas what are you doing????) about the same price but i can image the problems with GPS in Greece…
Please make a more comprehensive post about FP9..
(I’m going to get it anyway but don’t tell Nokia about it..)
I can’t believe it.. Flex apps in a small device like this!
Glad to hear someone got a working device. My boss just bought a new laptop with Vista in Spanish and now is intent on learning the language due to delays in getting an english version running Vista in Spain.
Odd isn’t it?
The new update with flash 9 (and skype) is very nice. It’s great having a whole Linux machine to carry around in your pocket.
For those times when you dont have a wifi connection (or don’t want to pay for data using your phone as a modem) you can run apps on the device itself. Or you can provide the ip address of the N800 to people on the same wifi network and go from their.
I’ve just got Ruby on Rails up and running on mine (http://www.morethanseven.net/posts/ruby-on-rails-on-nokia-n800/) and also have the Nginx (http://nginx.net/) web server which you could host sites or apps based on flash or otherwise.
Too bad about that stylus Aral. I can’t believe how companies will design expensive electronics and overlook the small stuff that can just ruin the experience for customers.
Um…Bruce…I think he is saying the scratches were not scratches to the screen - rather scratches to the protective layer on the screen which is used in shipping etc. Like all new similar devices have - you don’t want to remove cause it looks so nice but you do and it looks so much better.
Great thoughts Aral I am off to buy mine now. Amazon have it for £247 at the moment. Can’t wait to get it!
Cant believe you can run Ruby on this thing - and a Flex2 app - wowz!
THANK YOU ARAL!!!!
I’ve been using my N800 intensively for 7 months with the protective film still in place and it is badly scratched.
I looked for tabs and even gently tried to remove one if it was there without any luck. Your post led me to be more aggressive and, WHALLA!!! A beautiful brand new screen!
Thanks again, Eric
Changed the duplicate name.
You’re welcome, Eric
Nice Info
Thanks