Nokia backs Symbian^3 with N8 smartphone

High-end handset to ship with latest Symbian OS

The Nokia N8 comes with a 12-megapixel camera and 16GB of built-in storage

Symbian has announced that the forthcoming Nokia N8 smartphone will be powered by its Symbian^3 operating system.

Nokia is the first device manufacturer to get behind the software, which has already been delayed, and said that the handset will show off many of its features and usability enhancements.

Lee Williams, executive director of Symbian, said he was 'stoked' by the news.

"This is an example of what is possible with the latest and greatest version
of the Symbian platform," he added.

"Symbian^3 enables an unparalleled set of options for device creators and apps developers to extend the usefulness of Symbian products and services and, in turn, enhance the lives of mobile consumers."

The Nokia N8 will offer multiple personalised home screens, multi-touch and single tap access, improved graphics, better memory management and a faster and improved user interface, according to Nokia.

The official Nokia blog claims that the phone is stylish, carved from a single piece of anodised aluminium and comes in a range of five "eye-catching" colours.

Much is also made of the camera part of the phone, a 12-megapixel unit with Carl Zeiss optics and Xenon flash. The N8 also lets users capture and edit high-definition video on its 3.5in touch screen, and comes with an HDMI connector for plugging into the TV.

The Nokia N8 has 16GB of built-in storage and is expandable up to 48GB with a micro SD card. It will cost €370 (£320) before local taxes and subsidies, and will start shipping in the third quarter of 2010.

The third quarter is likely to be a busy one for handset upgrades. RIM plans to release its new BlackBerry operating system, Dell hopes to start shipping its own Android phones, and Microsoft will update its mobile operating system with the release of version 7.