http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7180X420110209

Ended first MeeGo phone project before launch -sources

* Company declines to comment

* Could unveil next MeeGo device later this week -analysts

HELSINKI, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Nokia (NOK1V.HE) has ended development of its first smartphone using its new MeeGo operating system before it was ever launched, two industry sources close to the company said. A spokesman for Nokia declined to comment.

The yet unproven MeeGo software platform, seen as a key weapon in Nokia's battle against Apple (AAPL.O) and Google (GOOG.O) in the high end smartphone market, was created early last year from the merger of Nokia and Intel's (INTC.O) Linux-based platforms Maemo and Moblin. [ID:nLDE61E0Z2] Analysts said Nokia could still show the next MeeGo device, even if unfinished, later this week at its investor day in London on Friday or news conference in Barcelona on Sunday. (Reporting by Tarmo Virki; Editing by Greg Mahlich)