ESPOO, Finland - Nokia has announced the release of a mini-laptop computer named the Nokia Booklet 3G. It will reside in the already crowded netbook segment - a term Nokia avoids - but with some specific Nokia-branded features such as 3G/HSPA connectivity, integrated A-GPS and out-of-the-box integration with the Ovi Suite. It will also feature 12 hours of battery time and an HDMI-port.  The device will have a weight of 1.25 kilograms.

The Ovi integration means the device will be able to use Ovi Maps with the integrated A-GPS, synchronize files with a compatible phone model and use the other features in the Ovi Suite.

The Nokia Booklet 3G is expected to run under Windows 7, making it the second announcement of a Nokia and Microsoft collaboration in a short time (after the announcement on their collaboration in mobile office software). Nokia has manufactured computers in the past and featured a PC divison for some time during the 1980s, but sold off all divisions not directly related to tele-communications during the 1990s.

The announcement casts some doubts regarding Nokia's future strategy regarding its high-end devices. Both the Nokia N97 and the upcoming Nokia N900 are also segmented as a mixture of business, internet and multimedia devices (although both the hardware and software platforms differ between the different devices).

More details on future strategy along with a launch date and pricing details for the Booklet 3G will be announced at the Nokia World on September 2nd.

Nokia Booklet 3G video:

Nokia Booklet 3G live images courtesy of Reuters