Lots to catch up on, which I'll do over the course of the day --

Russell Beattie:
The Future of Mobility is Linux
http://www.russellbeattie.com/notebook/1008610.html
>>Okay, I’ve had an opinion change I’d like to announce. I’m betting that the future of mobility will be Linux, and not Symbian, Windows or anything else.
...
>>First I’ll start with the final epiphany and work backwards. The latest news I’ve seen about the Nokia 770 is that it’s going to have a host of applications ready for it at launch, including VoIP software, streaming media, chat applications, Doom, etc. The thing that’s so amazing about this is that the 770 is essentially the *same exact hardware* that’s on my Nokia 6680, yet the development pace for the 770 is way more rapid. In addition, there’s at least a half a dozen blogs and bloggers dedicated to the device, and it hasn’t even launched yet. This shows the power of an open environment and the draw of Linux and its fans.

Big change of heart here, with all the reasons laid out in detail. He's talking Linux on mobile phones, but many of his points apply to the "ultra mobile"/"internet tablet"/web pad niche.

MyBlog:
Why Nokia 770?
http://bonte.co.uk/myBlog/?p=13
>>A lot of discussion is taking place on the positioning of the Nokia 770. However, in my opinion, it’s overwhelmingly clear what the single reason of existence of the Nokia 770 is: internet viewing at full width of 800 pixels avoiding horizontal browsing. No other (small) device is curently offering this: highest resolution is limited to a width of 640 pixels (pocket pc, series 80, series 90,…) which all still require horizontal browsing. And this comes at a price which is unlikely to be beaten by any pocket pc at a higher future resolution…!
MyBlog:
On Mobility
http://bonte.co.uk/myBlog/?p=12
>>There is a bewildering choice in UI variations, form factors, size, weight, features,… demonstrating that mobility takes on a lot of different meanings for different people, or rather showing the restless quest for the successful UI / form factor…time wil tell who the winner(s) are…
>>However, it is possible to define 3 categories who will most probably prevail.
...
>>3. Small internet tablet (Wifi + BT) > focus on display (minimum 800 pixels wide) for internet viewing
>>Linux or Windows? Winner : Linux due to small footprint and efficiency

Things are becoming clearer to a lot of people, it seems.

Edited to add --
Ari Jaaksi's Blog:
McLaren should be open!
http://jaaksi.blogspot.com/2005/09/m...d-be-open.html
>>I tried to get my 770 on wifi at the Monza track. All the networks were closed. I think McLaren should let 770 users in! A friend of mine Mikko Valimaki suggested last week in Helsingin Sanomat (a Finnish newspaper) that everybody should leave their wifi networks open. If we dare to drive a car, we should dare to let others use our access points for free. Risks are much smaller and it costs much less than driving a car. Well, I've always kept my wifi open for anybody who happens to need it.
>>McLaren didn't.

It might sound like special pleading from a 770 manager/architect, but I look at it the other way -- people thinking this way at Nokia have acted on their beliefs in their design of the Internet Tablet.

BTW, I agree.

Handful of Nothing:
BattleGweled Interest
http://www.marceloeduardo.com/blog/a...weled-interest
>>I’m pretty happy with the interest rising on this simple game. It was supposed to be only a port of Gweled (a clone of Bejeweled) but in the end and with a lot of talk I convinced the guys to add a multiplayer feature to it.

Fuller detail and photo on front page. Hey, I revisited this site because of Al's interview with Marcelo Oliveira in 770fan. That was a scoop. This is just a crumb that fell out of the interview.

Darla Mack:
Txtdrop
http://darlamack.blogs.com/darlamack..._canada_g.html
>>txtDrop.com offers US and Canadian residents free PC texting service to mobile phones.

>>Our goal is to make web based text messaging free and as easy as possible. Which is why we let you do everything in one easy step, on one simple webpage. Using our database driven technology, txtDrop enables users in the United States and Canada to send text messages with instant delivery. No more need to pay your cellular provider up to 10 cents for sending your friend a text. Just enter your name, your friends mobile number and your message and we'll send your text instantly. Completely free of charge.

>>via: Textually

Sounds like an effective way to connect with your cell-phone friends using your 770.
-- Roger Sperberg