Nokia N900 US Release Confirmed Today [Nokia N900 Pre-Orders Now Shipping Stateside]

The long rumored and highly anticipated Nokia N900 is finally shipping for US customers, as announced in an official press release today. Apparently pre-orders for the mobile computer, as Nokia refers to it, have started shipping and those who paid the hefty price should be getting their Linux-based Maemo-running handsets, shortly — if not today.

A powerful pocket computer that runs Maemo, Nokia N900 marks a move away from Symbian. It brings multiple ways to connect to the Internet (including access for 3G data networks, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), 32GB of storage and has the ability to multitask several applications or web browsers at once. There’s also a 3.5-inch touchscreen, a full QWERTY keyboard that makes web browsing, IM and emailing very easy and a five megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and a dual LED flash, for perfect imagery.

In the US the new N900 will cost some $649 if you plan a visit to Nokia’s flagship stores in New York and Chicago to get it yourself, or $504.99 on Amazon.

Check out the press release below:

The Nokia N900 is now available to US consumers
November 18, 2009

A computer in your pocket – The Nokia N900 is here!

WhitePlains, N.Y., USA — Nokia today announced that the highly anticipated Nokia N900 is now on sale in the United States and shipping to consumers who jumped on the opportunity to be among the first to pre-order the Maemo-powered mobile computer. With the Linux-based Maemo platform and with multiple ways to connect to the Internet, the Nokia N900 enables users to be online as it happens with a powerful computer in the palm of their hands.

“Consumers from every segment of the population are looking for more out of their mobile device – more power, more ability, more connectivity. The Nokia N900 ushers in a new era with a very powerful mobile computer,” said Alessandro Lamanna, Vice President, Retail Sales, Nokia. “With an open source operating system, incorporated technology like an OMAP processor, and real time web widgets, the Nokia N900 delivers the experience of a pocketable computer that has the information you’re looking for right there waiting for you thanks to the ability to be connected just about anywhere.”

With the Linux-based Maemo operating platform, 32GB of storage and multiple options of connectivity including access for 3G data networks, consumers no longer need to leave everything that makes them them – their email, favorite websites, social communities, images, music – anywhere but on their Nokia N900. With the Nokia N900, you don’t have to worry about missing that next great moment.

Additionally, with the ability to multitask several applications or web browsers at once, the Nokia N900 allows for users to eliminate boredom wherever they go. Surfing several web pages while listening to music while talking on instant message with friends – all at the same time – couldn’t be easier.

Maemo software is based on an open source platform and allows for a variety of different applications to be developed – from home brew to commercial and everything in between; such as podcasting, Twitter and instant messaging applications. Consumers and developers can join the conversation with other members and Nokia employees by visiting http://maemo.org.

With a web browser based on Mozilla technology, the Nokia N900 allows consumers to access a world wide web that is more computer-like than before. Consumers can view their favorite websites, use drop down menus, watch Flash videos and access the web on a mobile device screen thanks to support for Adobe Flash 9.4 and gesture support within the Nokia N900 web browser.

The Nokia N900 comes with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard and enables consumers the ability to personalize up to four different home screens as they wish. One can be work related with a calendar widget and contacts application while another can be favorite bookmarked web pages while yet another can be set to show popularsocial networks.

The Nokia N900 retains Nokia’s legacy of high quality imaging with a five megapixel camera, Carl Zeiss optics and a dual LED flash along the ability to share those images and videos straight from your device to services such as Ovi Share. With Ovi services like Maps and Files, the Nokia N900 allows users access to their Ovi account right from their device.

The Nokia N900 is available in a black finish and will retail for USD 649 through Nokia Flagship stores in New York and Chicago, nokiausa.com and various independent retailers and e-tailers including Amazon.com. For more information and high resolution images, please visit http://www.nokia.com/press.

For more information on how to develop for Nokia N900 and Maemo, please visit http://forum.nokia.com.