Yesterday, Nokia Corp. (NOK) introduced its first high-end 3G smart-phone N900 based on Linux open source software. This converged mobile device provides a personal computer-like experience to users and will run on the Linux-based Maeme 5 software.

This 3G handset will have a high-resolution WVGA touch screen and incorporate a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It will be available in select markets from October for 500 Euros.

Traditionally, all Nokia handsets have used the Symbian operating system, which is now fully controlled by Nokia. However, the Symbian system has lost charm for mobile phone users and become outdated compared to open source operating systems like Linux, Google Inc.’s (GOOG) Android and the licensed system of Microsoft Corp.’s (MSFT) Windows Mobile. A wireless handset based on the Maeme 5 operating system will allow users to run more than a dozen application windows at the same time.

N900 will have multitasking feature for applications together with web browsing (Mozilla-based Internet browser) that will support Adobe System Inc.’s (ADBE) flash software. This smart-phone will have ARM Cortex-A8 processor and 1GB of application memory. N900 also contains a 5-megapixel camera and 32GB of storage facility. Storage capacity will be expandable up to 48GB through a microSD memory card.

Nokia is the world leader in the high-end smartphone market but the company has been losing ground to fierce competition in recent times. According to Gartner Inc, Nokia’s share fell to 45% in the second quarter from 47.5% in the year-ago period. Meanwhile, Research In Motion (RIMM) grew its market share to 18.7% from 17.3% in the year-ago quarter and Apple Inc. (AAPL) gained 13.3% from a mere 2.8% in the prior-year quarter.

Nokia’s adoption of the Linux-based operating system is aimed to protect its leadership position in the smartphone market. Earlier this month, the company signed a deal with its former arch rival Microsoft Corp., to incorporate the mobile version of MS-Office software suite in Nokia handsets.

Zacks Investment Research
View original at: Zacks.com News Feed

1. (NOK) Nokia Netbook UnveiledAs expected, Nokia (NOK) finally confirmed its entry into the netbook segment. The netbook named...
2. (MSFT) Microsoft Doing Everything Right?When I read the first article about the Microsoft (MSFT)/Yahoo (YHOO) combo, I did not...
3. (AAPL) Nokia Moves to Counter Apple’s iPhoneApple Inc.’s (AAPL) iPhone is a major success for the company. The iPhones sales were...
4. ($GOOG) Getting Smart With Your PortfolioTony Daltorio, The Investment U Research Team Many of us are familiar with the 1960s...
5. (MOT) Motorola Gets Blockbuster Movies for the competitive smart-phone marketThe struggling mobile phone developer Motorola (MOT) is all set to establish itself as a...
6. (DELL) Dell Confirms New Phone LaunchRumors had been circulating that Dell Inc. (DELL) has been planning to launch its first...

Search Posts by Tag: AAPL | Apple Inc. | GOOG | Google Inc. | Microsoft Corporation | MSFT | NOK | Nokia Corporation | Research In Motion Ltd. | RIMM | Communication Equipment | Technology

RSS Feeds by Tag: AAPL | Apple Inc. | GOOG | Google Inc. | Microsoft Corporation | MSFT | NOK | Nokia Corporation | Research In Motion Ltd. | RIMM | Communication Equipment | Technology |

Other Posts by: vitalstocks | RSS Feed for this author