Nokia N800 & N810: How to turn it into a digital camera

To get the most out of this tutorial, watch the video above and then read the text below. The tutorial assumes that N800 owners have upgraded to OS 2008. If you want to find out more about upgrading, click here.

If you want to comment on this tutorial, please post in the comments section at the end. If you have any questions or problems regarding your tablet, please post about them on Internet Tablet Talk's Newbie Forum.

The N800 and N810 both have built-in cameras designed for use during internet video calls. The N800's camera is hidden away in the left side of the tablet (just press the round bit in and it pops out), while the N810's is mounted on the front of the device on the top left. Although the cameras were primarily designed to work as webcams, if you install the optional Camera application you can use them as conventional digital cameras too.

One thing to point out is that the cameras aren't that great for taking still photos because they were never meant to. If you don't mind the low quality though, it might be worth giving it a try. It's totally free, after all.

Here's how you turn the N800 & N810 into a digital camera:

1. Click on the Applications icon (the green squares on the left of the screen).

2. Click on Settings

3. Click on Application Manager

4. Click on Browse Installable Applications

5. Click on Camera

6. Click on Install, and select OK or yes to all the questions

The Camera application should now be installed.

To activate Camera, click on the Applications icon, then Extras, then Camera.

The Camera application is pretty easy to use, the icons are nice and big so you may prefer to use your fingers when operating the camera. The icon that looks like a camera takes the pictures, and the icon that looks like a load of photos takes you to the album where you can view all the photos taken with the camera. You can view any photo in the album at full size by clicking on its larger version, then click on it again to get back to the album. There's a rubbish bin icon for any photos you want to delete from the album.

The album also has an envelope icon that lets you attach the currently selected photo to an email. However, this only works if you're using the N800 or N810's own built-in email application.


A tip for N800 users: Don't open the camera too early

If you're using an N800, you have to remove the actual camera from its hiding place by pressing down on it once so that it pops out. It'll be facing you when it pops out, but you can twist it round so that it faces the other way if you prefer.

However, because the built-in camera was designed entirely for use with the video call application, opening the camera normally starts a new video call. If you want to use the camera with the Camera application, make sure that you have the Camera application running before you open the actual camera.