Nokia Booklet 3G successor in the works

Nokia is preparing a successor to its Booklet 3G portable machine, even though it is yet to go on sale in the UK, according to reports.

Taiwan-based Digitimes cited Chinese language paper Economic Daily News as reporting that due to strong market demand for the Booklet 3G worldwide, Nokia is already preparing a follow up, scheduled to arrive in 2010.

The Booklet 3G is a netbook-sized laptop that was first announced in August. It features an array of integrated wireless technology such as 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS and also claims a 12 hour battery life. It's powered by an Atom processor, has a 10in display and weighs only 1.25Kg. However, unlike budget-focused netbooks, the Booklet 3G is retailing for around 500.

Details of the sequel are inevitably under wraps, but Intel is expected to have its next generation Atom chip, codenamed Pine Trail, ready for early next year. This will feature an integrated memory controller and graphics processor on one chip, reducing the number of chips needed, which should help boost battery life in small machines.

IT PRO contacted Nokia regarding this story, but a company spokesperson said that its policy was not to comment on rumour or speculation.

Click here to read our first look preview of the Booklet 3G.

Benny Har-Even is a twenty-year stalwart of technology journalism who is passionate about all areas of the industry, but telecoms and mobile and home entertainment are among his chief interests. He has written for many of the leading tech publications in the UK, such as PC Pro and Wired, and previously held the position of technology editor at ITPro before regularly contributing as a freelancer.

Known affectionately as a ‘geek’ to his friends, his passion has seen him land opportunities to speak about technology on BBC television broadcasts, as well as a number of speaking engagements at industry events.