Nokia to run Google Talk on Web tablet

Nokia, the world's top mobile phone maker, will unveil on Tuesday a new version of its Internet tablet device that runs Google Talk communications software, sources familiar with the plans said on Friday.

The pact between the Finnish company and Web search leader Google would offer consumers the ability to chat with other users of instant messaging software via the Nokia Wi-Fi device, which relies on short-range wireless networks.

The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, introduced last year, offers wireless access to digital music and video playing on a high-contrast colour screen, as well as to check email, surf the Web and read computer documents or play video games.

At a press conference to be held in Stockholm on Tuesday, Espoo, Finland-based Nokia will introduce a new version of the Internet Tablet with upgraded software and hardware elements, one source said.

Nokia's 770 is available worldwide via its Web site. The 770 is a rectangular, 140mm by 79mm (5.5-inch by 3.1-inch) device with a big colour screen that is slightly bigger than a mobile phone. It has a retail list price of around £245 in the UK.

In contrast to phones, the Nokia 770 relies on unregulated local wireless connections rather than mobile phone networks.

Google Talk, which allows users to chat via text or to talk with other instant message users, will be one of the featured applications on the Nokia Internet Tablet, a second source confirmed.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the news.

The deal with Nokia marks Google's latest move beyond computers and into the mobile communications market.

Earlier this year it announced a plan with Nokia's biggest rival, Motorola, to feature Google search software on Motorola phones.

Google rivals Yahoo and Microsoft are also pushing to have their services featured on handsets. Yahoo is offered on several Nokia phone models.

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