Nokia launches N9 smartphone

Nokia yesterday mounted its latest assault on the smartphone market with the launch of the N9 handset. The beleaguered company has struggled to compete with high-end rivals such as the iPhone and phones running Google's Android operating system. Chief executive Stephen Elop unveiled the N9 in Singapore yesterday. Questions were raised over the device despite the high specifications of the hardware  as it is the first and also the last to run the company's now obsolete operating system Meego. Nokia signed a smartphone partnership with Microsoft earlier this year, and Mr Elop said a device should launch before the end of the year.