According to Nokia, the N900 is compatible with most networks, although it won’t initially be available on new 3G SIM cards from 3 in the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Austria - a software update is in the pipeline and is slated to become available before the end of 2009.

The handset maker is planning to introduce Maemo 5 device in Europe, the Middle-East, Russia and North America shortly. N900 is priced at E500. Motorola’s phone market share dropped to 5.6 percent in the second quarter of 2009, from 10 percent a year earlier, reported Gartner.

The latest Q3 2009 smartphone market figures from Canalys show RIM and Apple gobbling up the smartphone market as overall growth in the segment begins to slow.

Jose-Luis Martinez, vice president for N-series at Nokia, said: “The Nokia N900 has generated a lot of interest since its public launch in August, which has been reflected in the device pre-orders. What’s exciting is the Maemo software, which takes its cues from the desktop computer and offers a full browsing experience like no other handset. We believe the Nokia N900 will be a very compelling device for people who are passionate about technology.”

Industry sources anticipate touch competition for smartphone operating system (OS) market as more users are looking for Google's Android OS. The Motorola Droid is the first smartphone supported by Google Android 2.0 operating system.

Goldman Sachs expects Nokia's value share, a measure reflecting average prices and underlying market share, for phones costing more than $350 to decline to 13 percent in 2009 from 33 percent just two years before.

Prediction detail:
- Apple iPhone sales up 7% to 7.4 million in Q3 2009.
- More users looking for Android-based handsets.
- OS market to influence smartphone sales.
- Motorola may sell 1.3 million Android phones in Q4 2009.
- RIM market share improved in Q3 2009.
- Betting closes on January 31, 2010.