New Linux based Nokia N900 looks pretty tasty

Although ULNG aren't usually ones to get involved with the mobile phone world, we thought it worthy to note that Nokia previewed the N900 Maemo 5 based phone today. It certainly looks to be a real showpiece for how Linux can work very well on a mobile phone but more importantly, trump the market leader in this area, the Apple iPhone. This device will replace the N800 smart tablet, so remember, this baby isn't small in size.

Here's the tech specs: ARM A8 processor, up to 1GB of application memory with 32GB storage memory (expandable to 48GB with the use of a MicroSD card). It's got proper OpenGL 3D graphics acceleration by the sounds of things so this will run 3D apps and games pretty sharpish. It multi-tasks too - time will tell if the N900's ability to multi-task as you would on a PC is a good thing or not. In theory, the ability to jump between a stack of apps quickly is great, but in practice, it's something not yet sucessfully pulled off on a mobile device due to limited CPU power. The display on the device is a now popular high-res WVGA touchscreen and full slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It's also got the almost-normal-by-now 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lense. It's got GPS ability built in, an FM transmitter (yep, transmitter), oh and, beat this Apple: 9 hours of talk time!.

Vice President of Markets at Nokia, Anssi Vanjoki said the following about the new N900:

“With Linux software, Mozilla-based browser technology and now also with cellular connectivity, the Nokia N900 delivers a powerful mobile experience. The Nokia N900 shows where we are going with Maemo and we’ll continue to work with the community to push the software forward. What we have with Maemo is something that is fusing the power of the computer, the internet and the mobile phone, and it is great to see that it is evolving in exciting ways.”

The device looks pretty tasty, too - check it out:

The N900 is available to buy in the fourth quarter of 2009. Can Nokia, HTC (Android) or even LG tempt me away from my iPhone? It'll be tough but watch this space!