Nokia gets touch-typey

FINNISH PHONE MAKER Nokia has taken to its blog to show off its X3 handset that offers both a touchscreen and a keypad.

The firm said that research has shown that handset users want the best of both worlds on their devices but were forced to make a choice between touchscreens and keypads. The X3, it said, would let them sidestep this decision by combining both.

Someone named Ian posted the information on the Nokia blog, along with some photos of the X3, which looks like a fun, app-happy handset with, of course, both a decent sized 2.4-inch touchscreen and a 12-button keypad.

Ian reported that Mary McDowell, who is "in charge of Nokia's mobile phones", told him that Nokia users have evolved into digit-lacking yet tactile fusspots who need phones to suit their growing needs and atrophying muscles. "Our research tells us consumers who have invested years in becoming fast one-handed, one-thumb texters want to maintain their speedy edge for SMS, chat and instant messaging - yet enjoy the benefits of touch as well," she said.

These people might be keen to get their hands on the X3 because of its range of colours, of which there are five, its thinness, or its 'svelte profile', which Ian said will make it appeal to 'fashion-conscious mobilists'.

More interesting perhaps are its four bands for voice, 3G, HSPA and WiFi, a 5 megapixel camera, and a bundle of applications including those for web and chat, while other apps will be available through the Ovi app store.

Perhaps most significant is the price, which is around £100. µ