Nokia, the world’s largest maker of cell phones, said Monday that it will start making a small, light laptop, similar to ones PC manufacturers are already selling through wireless carriers around the world.<\/p>\n
The Finnish company says the Nokia Booklet 3G will run Microsoft’s Windows software, have a 10-inch (25-centimeter) screen and weigh 2.8 pounds (1.3 kilograms). That puts it squarely in the “netbook” category pioneered by Taiwanese manufacturers like AsusTek Computer Inc.<\/p>\n
Nokia said it would reveal the price and launch date of the PC on Sept. 2. Most netbooks sell for less than $500.<\/p>\n
Nokia said its PC would be “satisfying a need” among wireless carriers. AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless have started selling netbooks in their stores, subsidizing the purchase for customers who sign up for wireless broadband plans.<\/p>\n
Sprint Nextel has started subsidizing netbooks sold at electronics store Best Buy. In Europe, many carriers started selling netbooks last year.<\/p>\n
Unlike most netbooks, Nokia’s Booklet will have a built-in GPS navigation chip coupled to Nokia’s Ovi Maps software, and an aluminum cover to contrast with the usual plastic.<\/p>\n
Nokia has previously tried to expand its portfolio beyond cell phones, making a “tablet” computer that runs non-Windows software. It hasn’t been a mainstream success.<\/p>\n
Going further back, PCs were among the wide range of products Nokia made before it became a cell phone powerhouse. It sold off the computer division in 1991.<\/p>\n