NEW YORK, USA - Nokia has finally found an ally in AT&T for its top-end 3G device which will be heavily subsidized by the carrier passing on the benefits to the customers in the US. The 3G device in consideration is not any mobile phone but a booklet, the Nokia terminology for a device that is crossover between a laptop and netbook.

In what is seen as the revolutionary step in the electronics industry, the world's largest handset manufacturer has diversified into the notebook market, a move that many pundits believe is to send a warning signal to rival Apple, who has diversified from computers to portable music player and to handset manufacturing in the recent years. While Apple's diversification to portable music segment with iPod and then later with iPhone in the handset segment have been huge market successes, market performance of Nokia's booklet remains to be seen.

The mini Laptop will be powered by Windows 7, the latest OS from Microsoft apart from being loaded with standard Nokia applications such as Ovi Maps, Nokia Suite and Nokia Music. The Intel Atom-based booklet is embedded with 3G/HSPA  as well as Wi-Fi  for high speed  internet connectivity. The Nokia Booklet has a 10.1" display, an HDMI port for HD video out, a front facing camera for video calling, integrated Bluetooth and an easily accessible SD card reader. The onboard A-GPS will work in conjunction with Ovi Maps, thus bringing the powerful navigation application to the netbook segment.

The Nokia Booklet 3G will hit the Best Buy Stores with a price tag of US$299.99 with an AT&T Data Connect plan two-year activation, making it one of the most economical netbooks in market today.