CES: Nokia looks to crack US market with Lumia 900

AT&T lands exclusive deal for Windows Phone handset

LAS VEGAS: Nokia has unveiled the latest edition to its Lumia smartphone line with the 900 handset.

The company said the Windows Phone handset would be primarily aimed at the North American market, with a number of features optimised for US carrier AT&T's LTE wireless broadband network.

Nokia president and chief executive Stephen Elop told reporters the 4.3in device would sport an Amoled ClearBlack display and a Carl Zeiss rear-mounted F2.2 aperture camera. Nokia has yet to give details on pricing and availability.

The 900 will be the third model in Nokia's Lumia line, following in the footsteps of the 800 and 710 models. As with previous devices, Nokia will fine-tune the device for its targeted region.

"We have been working in very close partnership with AT&T to ensure we have the right approach for the North American market," Elop said.

Joining Elop on stage at the press conference was Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer. Both Elop and Ballmer noted that the close partnership between Nokia and Windows was essential for establishing the Microsoft platform in a smartphone space, which has of late been dominated by iOS and Android.

"Nokia got off to a fast start - in a sense you can say everything takes a long time," Ballmer said. "To go from concept to discussions to real engineering to delivery is fantastic."

Elop said the release is the latest in a strategy of establishing "beachheads" to gain a foothold in key markets. Getting those beachheads, said Elop, will require the co-operation of all Windows Phone developers, including some of Nokia's natural competitors.

"I am so happy that companies like Samsung and HTC are introducing Windows Phone devices," Elop said. "Our principal competitors are the other ecosystems and that is where we have to focus."