Nokia N900, the Maemo 5-based high-end device from the Finnish mobile phone maker, has finally been released on the US market. The company announced today that the gadget already started to ship to those who place orders for it in advance, and that the Linux-based Maemo platform present on it would offer users a wide range of connectivity options.

“Consumers from every segment of the population are looking for more out of their mobile device - more power, more ability, more connectivity. The Nokia N900 ushers in a new era with a very powerful mobile computer,” said Alessandro Lamanna, Vice President, Retail Sales, Nokia. “With an open source operating system, incorporated technology like an OMAP processor, and real time web widgets, the Nokia N900 delivers the experience of a pocketable computer that has the information you're looking for right there waiting for you thanks to the ability to be connected just about anywhere.”

The new handset comes to the shelves with 32GB of storage, access to 3G data networks, connectivity to mail, favorite websites, social communities, images, music, multitasking capabilities, and more. The Nokia N900 proves to be a powerful computer in the palm of the user's hand, delivering a great experience regardless of the applications running or the multimedia features one would like to enjoy.

The Nokia N900 has an open source platform, offering simple ways to build applications for the device, including podcasting, Twitter and instant messaging solutions. In addition, it sports a web browser based on Mozilla technology, which comes with support for Adobe Flash 9.4 and for gestures, for a more enhanced experience.

Other features of the handset include a 3.5-inch touchscreen, a side-sliding full QWERTY keyboard, the possibility to personalize a number of four screens, as to take great pictures using its 5-megapixel photo snapper with dual LED flash. Available in a black finish, the new Nokia N900 can be purchased from the company's Flagship stores in New York and Chicago priced at USD 649, can be found listed for purchase on Nokia's website, as well as via various retailers in the country.