Nokia Tube To be Released On October 2?
Apparently, while everyone is busy to judge the lows and ups of Google’s G1 against the iPhone, Nokia is quietly preparing to launch its own response to Apple’s iPhone.

Reuters is quoting two sources that said that Nokia’s first touch screen, which goes under the code-name Tube, will be unveiled as early as October 2 in London.

In addition, the Czech mobile site Mobil.cz has published a leaked picture of a new Nokia phone, dubbed Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, which apparently will be the official name of Nokia Tube.

In fact, Tom Libretto, vice president of Forum Nokia, confirmed Nokia’s first touch screen phone in April.

He said that the device, which he was referring as Nokia Tube, will be powered by a new version of Symbian operating system and he also hinted about a Java built in support as a standard.

Also, Libretto said that the new phone will include support for the DVB-H mobile TV standard for Europe and mobile video.

In March, the European Commission decided to add the Digital Video Broadcasting Handheld standard (DVB-H) to the EU List of Standards, which serves as a basis for encouraging the harmonised provision of telecommunications across the EU.

DVB-H is largely based on the DVB-T specification for digital terrestrial television, adding to it a number of features designed to take account of the limited battery life of small handheld devices, and the particular environments in which such receivers must operate.

Libretto also said that the Nokia Tube will include also a feature which will allow its users to upload to the web, which means that the new device will integrate Wi-Fi or HSDPA connectivity.

If the phone pictured in the photo from Mobil.cz is indeed the future Nokia Tube, than apparently iPhone will have soon a powerful competitor.

The phone measures 111 x 52 x 15,5 mm, it has a 640×360 touch screen, GPS, Wi-Fi and an 8GB SD card for music.