Nokia unveils N900 Linux-based tablet

The N900 adds a slide-out keyboard

Nokia has officially announced the N900, the next device in its line of internet tablet devices, featuring the latest release of the firm's Linux-based platform, a slide-out keyboard and cellular capability.

Available from October, the N900 has a 3.5in touch-screen and runs Nokia's Maemo 5 software, which the company said enables the delivery of a PC-like experience on a handset-sized device.

Unlike earlier models such as the N800, the new model features cellular capability as well as Wi-Fi for accessing the internet, making it a potential rival for Nokia's own Symbian-based smartphones.

"With Linux software, Mozilla-based browser technology and now cellular connectivity, the Nokia N900 delivers a powerful mobile experience," said Nokia executive vice president for markets Anssi Vanjoki.

The new device shows where Nokia is heading with Maemo, Vanjoki explained, and said the platform is "fusing the power of the computer, the internet and the mobile phone".

The N900 is based on an ARM Cortex-A8 processor with up to 1GB of memory for applications and OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics acceleration, delivering PC-like multitasking, according to Nokia. It has 32GB of storage expandable to 48GB via a microSD card slot.

Nokia said that the device is ideal for messaging thanks to its slide-out Qwerty keyboard, while the Nokia Messaging service allows for up to 10 email accounts.

The N900 is expected to cost about €500 (£440) when available.