Screenshots showcasing a forthcoming MeeGo interface have been released, offering a taste of what to expect when the Nokia N9 goes on sale later this year.

The MeeGo interface appears to be a mix of the Android and Windows Phone platform, judging by the images posted on the Nokia Conversations Blog.

The screenshots show what core applications including Contacts, Calendars, Maps, Messaging and Facebook will look like on the high-end device.  

Nokia Maps will allows users to get directions and will also highlight places of interest and public transport links nearby. Prominent buildings appear to be shown in 3D, following in the footsteps of Google Maps 5. There will also be a dedicated in-car navigation app called Drive.

The Calendar app looks straightforward and will allow business users to keep track of meetings and tasks. Reminders can be added to any day by pressing the '+' key. The app also integrates with Nokia Maps, making it easy to find meeting places. It's a very useful feature.

Interestingly, messaging input looks very similar to the stock Android Honeycomb keyboard, but this isn't a bad thing. The N9 is set to come with a large 3.9in screen, so typing on the device should be reasonably comfortable.

The Notifications application also looks to be an interesting feature, displaying the profile picture of contacts to give the interface a more personal feel, like the Windows Phone operating system.The Nokia N9 is set to launch later this year, and V3.co.uk will post a video demonstration and full review when a handset is available.