Nokia N900 delay highlights Maemo's importance

BANGALORE, INDIA:When Nokia has announced postponment until sometime in November the launch of its much-anticipated N900 “Rover” tablet/handset, leaving buyers disappointed.

Stated to be the first device to use the latest version of Nokia’s open source Maemo operating system, had already been delayed from a planned August debut.

But mobile industry watcher Caroline Gabriel, in her always incisive newsletter, Rethink Wireless, offers a smart and interesting analysis of the reason for the delay. Gabriel says that Nokia is using the time to get more feedback from independent Maemo software developers and to fine-tune the device’s user experience prior to delivery.

That might sound like a lame excuse, especially so close to launch, but Nokia’s willingness to risk bad press and annoy customers underscores how crucial this product is to the company, which has been struggling to recapture momentum in smartphones lost to the likes of Apple (AAPL) and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIMM). Nokia blamed a shortfall in smartphone sales in part for its disappointing third quarter results announced Oct. 15.

(Business Week)