Nokia hopes to rival other top-of-the-range mobile phones which have recently come on the market, such as the Blackberry Storm and Apple iPhone.

With the Nokia N97 mobile computer, users will be able to access new Ovi services, Nokia’s mobile interface, such as Maps on Ovi and Mail on Ovi.

“Today, we are at the threshold of another profound change in the way we connect and interact with each other and with our world,” President and CEO of Nokia, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, said at the opening of Nokia World 2008. “We are, in fact, transforming the Internet, putting in your hands the power to be more in tune with the world around you.”

With more than one billion customers worldwide, Nokia is one of the world’s biggest mobiles phone providers and is in a position to “put the power of the internet into the hands of more people in more places than any other company.” he said, offering up a world where mobile phone users are given the power to “personalize your Internet how and when you like, to make your day-to-day life easier and more fulfilling.”

Featuring a 3.5inch touch screen, five megapixel camera, personalised homescreen and full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, the N97 also offers an electronic compass, access to social networks and the ability to update them on the go, sharing their feelings, location, pictures and videos with their friends.

Mail on Ovi bring email to everyone, where they will be able to create and access emails, while Nokia Messaging brings access to users’ existing email accounts on Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail and AOL, amongst other.

Owners of the N97 will be able to get a weather forecast, and pre-plan their journey on their PC and then synchronise it with their mobile using , where they can save favourite destinations and get directions on the move.

According to its CEO, the things that the company can offer “uniquely position Nokia to transform the Internet to become a more personal and relevant part of our lives.”

The N97 will be made available in Europe sometime in the first half of 2009, followed by a US launch later in the year.

© Fair Investment Company Ltd