Nokia to offer Google Talk on Web tablet-sources (Reuters)

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - , the world's top mobilephone maker, will unveil on Tuesday a new version of itsInternet tablet device that runs Google Talk communicationssoftware, sources familiar with the plans said on Friday.

The pact between the Finnish company and Web search leaderGoogle Inc. would offer consumers the ability to chat withother users of instant messaging software via the Nokia Wi-Fidevice, which relies on short-range wireless networks.

The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, introduced last year, offerswireless access to digital music and video playing on ahigh-contrast color screen, as well as to check e-mail, surfthe 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 theInternet Tablet with upgraded software and hardware elements,one source said.

Nokia's 770 is available worldwide via its Web site. The770 is a rectangular, 5.5-inch by 3.1-inch device with a bigcolor screen that is slightly bigger than a mobile phone. Ithas a retail list price of around $400 in the United States.

In contrast to phones, the Nokia 770 relies on unregulatedlocal wireless connections rather than cell phone networks.

Google Talk, which allows users to chat via text or to talkwith other instant message users, will be one of the featuredapplications on the Nokia Internet Tablet, a second sourceconfirmed.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the news.

The deal with Nokia marks the Mountain View,California-based Google's latest move beyond computers and intothe mobile communications market.

Earlier this year it announced a plan with Nokia's biggestrival, Motorola Inc. to feature Google search software onMotorola phones.

Google rivals Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq: - ) and Microsoft Corp. are alsopushing to have their services featured on handsets. Yahoo isoffered on several Nokia phone models.

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/