Nokia CEO underscores support for Symbian

The smartphones trend isn't just happening in the developed world. Devices like the Nokia 5230, which costs €149 (US$225) before operator subsidies and taxes, will expand the reach of smartphones to new markets. The cost of smartphones will continue to drop, Nokia said, without elaborating on what future devices will cost.

Maemo will only be used on its most expensive devices, including the recently launched N900, according to Nokia. Nokia executives didn't say much at the event about upcoming Maemo-based devices. The first product based on Maemo 6, the next version of the OS, will arrive in the second half of 2010, according to Alberto Torres, executive vice president of solutions at Nokia.

Just like upcoming versions of Symbian, Maemo 6 will offer a better user interface and improved support for multitasking, a feature that the iPhone still lacks and Nokia takes every chance to underscore.