REUTERS: Nokia to stop operator reducing phone features for Maemo phones

Nokia to skip operator tailoring for Linux phones

http://www.reuters.com/article/techn...58831A20090909

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Nokia Oyj plans to skip tailoring software of its upcoming top-of-the-range model N900 to different operators, raising the risk some carriers, who focus on integrating their own software, could refuse to offer the model.

Nokia's plan for phones using its Linux Maemo operating system is the latest twist in a battle between handset vendors and operators for access to cell phone users.

The world's top cell phone maker last month unveiled its first phone running on Linux, aiming at improving its offering and assuring investors of its ability to compete with Apple Inc and Google Inc.

"We have an opportunity, that we are going to take advantage of, with Maemo platform to play the game a little bit more along those lines than with Symbian lines," Rivas said.

Nokia plans to use Maemo at the top of its phone range, while most of its smartphones would continue to use Symbian operating system, which it is bringing to lower and lower price points.