Nokia N97 launch strengthened by Intel deal

Nokia has strengthened its position as the provider of high performance smartphones with the announcement that it is to extend its relationship with Intel, it has emerged.

The Finnish manufacturer, which recently put out two new devices in the UK – the N86 and N97, both of which went head to head with the new Apple iPhone 3G S – has outlined some of the plans it has for the future that will benefit from the deal.

It was noted that with Intel onboard, Nokia will be able to proceed with a number of projects including an “architecture-based mobile computing device and chipset […] which will combine the performance of powerful computers with high-bandwidth mobile broadband communications”.

According to a statement issued by the group, the partnership could also involve developments in terms of various other integrated mobile phone technologies, such as new open source Linux software systems.

Nokia has previously hinted at its commitment to producing handsets that operate more like a PC than a phone. In fact, when the N97 was originally announced in December, it was described as “the world’s most advanced mobile computer”.

However, it seems unlikely the firm will forget its core users as both of its recent devices are in the Nseries range and are therefore compatible with games for the N-Gage platform – including the recently launched Championship Manager 2009.

Pocket Gamer reviewed that particular title this week and highlighted the changes that had been made to make it different from similar previous releases – such as the inclusion of European football clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.