Nokia's N8 set for Q3 launch

Nokia Corp. may not pack the same name cache it held a few years ago, but the world’s largest mobile device manufacturer is looking to regain some of that clout with the unveiling of a new high-end smartphone that appears to pack just about everything the company has to offer. 

 

The new device, dubbed the N8, features a 3.5-inch touchscreen backed by Nokia’s latest Symbian^3 operating system that the company said includes support for “gestures such as multi touch, flick scrolling and pinch-zoom.” All of which have become necessary in the high-end smartphone space.

 

Nokia also said the new OS will allow users to personalize their homescreen with applications or widgets, and includes a “2D and 3D graphics architecture” designed to take advantage of the device’s hardware. There was no word from Nokia as to the processing power of the device, the standard of which has certainly become Qualcomm Inc.’s 1 GHz Snapdragon processor that has turned up recently in the specs of a number of high-end devices.  

 

Nokia did note that the N8 will include a bevy of features designed for multi-media enthusiast, most prominently a 12-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, a xenon flash and a large sensor that it claims rivals those found on compact digital cameras. The N8 will also be able to shoot videos at the 720p resolution and allow users to edit the content on the device using  built-in editing software.  In addition the device includes support for Dolby Digital Plus surround sound that can be used when the device is plugged into a home entertainment system. The device also includes support for Flash video playback.

 

Additional features include 16 gigabytes of embedded memory with support for an additional 32 GB through a microSD card, support for Nokia’s Ovi storefront and free access to its Ovi Maps application. In support of the Ovi store Nokia said the N8 will be integrated with the Qt software development environment that allows developers to use the same platform to support Symbian, Maemo and all future MeeGo devices. 

 

As for connectivity, the current N8 shows support for quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks as well as W-CDMA support for five bands, including those used by AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile USA Inc. in the U.S. Nokia said the device would be initially available in “select markets” beginning in the third quarter for an unsubsidized prices of $490, and a debut in the U.S. shortly after its international launch.

 

That time lag could make or break Nokia’s attempt to garner mind share in the U.S. market as in the meantime Apple Inc. is expected to unveil its latest iPhone iteration and Research In Motion Ltd. is on the cusp of updating its Blackberry OS to a more consumer-friendly user interface.