Hard on the heels of its Windows-based netbook, Nokia today
launched a Linux-based touch-screen phone handset with full qwerty
keyboard, theN900
.
The handset uses Maemo
software, which Nokia developed with Intel, to deliver a PC-like
multitasking experience on a handset-sized device.
The Nokia N900 has evolved from Nokia's previous generation of
internet tablets. The new Maemo 5 software lets users have dozens
of application windows open and running simultaneously while taking
full advantage of the cellular features, touch screen and qwerty
keyboard.
"With Linux software, Mozilla-based browser technology and now
cellular connectivity, the Nokia N900 delivers a powerful mobile
experience," says Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia's executive vice president
for markets.
Nokia promised to work with the Maemo community to push the
software forward. But it said Maemo complemented the Symbian
platform that drives Nokia's smartphones.
"Maemo enables Nokia to deliver new mobile computing experiences
based on open-source technology that has strong ties with desktop
platforms," says Jonathan Arber, IDC senior research analyst in
consumer mobile.
The Nokia N900 uses an ARM Cortex-A8 processor, has up to 1GB of
application memory, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a high-resolution
WVGA 3.5 inch touch screen, OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics acceleration and
fast internet connectivity with 10/2 HSPA and WLAN protocols.
The Nokia N900 has 32GB of storage, which is expandable up to
48GB via a microSD card. It uses the 5MP camera and Carl Zeiss
optics from the N95 smartphone with Maemo software and a new tag
cloud user interface.
The N900 supports a Mozilla browser for web surfing and Adobe
Flash 9.4 for online videos, so that websites look the way they
would on any computer. Maemo software updates automatically over
the internet.
All running content is available through the dashboard. The
panoramic homescreen can be personalised with shortcuts, widgets
and applications.
Setting up email is quick and the Nokia Messaging service offers
up to 10 personal email accounts. Text message or IM exchanges are
shown in one view and all conversations are organised as separate
windows.
The Nokia N900 will be available in select markets from October
2009 with an estimated retail price of €500 excluding sales taxes
and subsidies.
The Nokia N900 will be shown at
Nokia World,
Stuttgart, on September 2.