Nokia unveils iPhone rival

Nokia has unveiled its first touch-screen mobile device - the 5800 XpressMusic - in the United Kingdom, which looks set to compete with the Apple iPhone.

Available later this year at an estimated retail price of 279 euros, the phone boasts a 3.2 inch widescreen display with innovate input methods – a virtual alphanumeric and QWERTY keyboard, a pen stylus and a plectrum for music enthusiasts.

“The UAE will be one of the first markets to receive the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, which will be available before end of year”, Tala Toukan, communications manager at Nokia MENA, confirmed to itp.net

One of the features is a ‘Media Bar’ drop down menu that gives users direct access to music, videos, images, the internet and file sharing. Another feature - the ‘Contacts Bar’ - highlights four preferred contacts on the home screen, providing users with a digital history of recent text messages, phone logs and other updates with a single touch.

Featuring a 3.2 megapixel camera, the 5800 is loaded with built-in surround sound stereo speakers with 8 GB memory for up to 6,000 tracks.The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic will be among the first devices to support the Comes With Music service which offers one year of unlimited access to the entire Nokia Music Store catalogue.

Comes With Music will launch in the United Kingdom on October 16, with plans to roll out the service next year in markets that have existing Nokia Music Stores.

The United Arab Emirates will get its own Nokia Music Store in December, 2008.