Today, on the summer solstice (N hemisphere) Nokia used the occasion, fittingly, to announce to the World the much anticipated Qt powered Nokia N9 and also outline the company's strategy for connecting the next billion users to the web. Read on for a recap of Stephen Elop's Address.

Nokia's new strategy... Stephen Elop took the stage to address the Singapore crowd and the Global web audience and immediately recalled Feb 2011 and Nokia's announcement to use the Win Mobile platform as a standard. This will play a big role in Nokia's plan for connecting the next billion to the Internet. 1.5 billion mobile users do not have web access... enter Nokia, connecting the next billion people to the web India, Indonesia, China, Vietnam and huge markets for future access to the Internet via mobile technology - need affordable, easy to use devices.

Some highlights from Nokia Connection...

• Primary smartphone focus is to focus on Windows Phone platform
• Will continue to support 225 million Symbian users
• Recall Anna has improved browser, higher secuirity, and many features
• New Nokia maps client integrated with Symbian Anna
• Andrej Sonkin Head of Smart Devices, SEAP took the stage with a pink N8 (latest color available to market)
• With Symbian Anna look for more speed, a new improved browser, overall faster experience, integrated search
• support Symbian customers through 2016 with new software
• 10 new devices coming expected to market in the near future
• The next billion strategy - Mary McDowell, Executive Vice President, Mobile Phones - Nokia will provide nice devices, locally relevant services starting with SMS based services, followed by more Sophisticated devices that make access easy and affordable.
• Over 17 million C3 QWERTY devices Coming, including a new dual SIM device... allows users to receive and send message on any SIM, with easy to access SIM manager
• Nokia X-101 - ready out of the box, 16GB memory, 36 hr battery, amazing sound quality + Nokia life tools - retailing for about 35 Euros
• Nokia C2-03 - supports 32 gb memory card C2-02 will be a single SIM option - fun and functionality, touch and type UI for messaging and social networking, easy slot C2-03 services - Nokia browser for faster web access to search and fb. Uses cloud technology to compress data for the user. Brings local apps and content as well as local start pages
• Numerous pre-loaded web apps on the C2-03 New Nokia browser pros for the carrier - no operator licensing fees, supports 87 languages.
• More tools coming for developers indluding Templates, simulators, sample code, training and more coming for the S40 web app developers
• Users will spend more time online than ever before Maps and location coming to S40 device users with embedded offline Nokia maps with locally relevant content Making access to the web a reality
• The industry has seen a shift from a battle of devices to a rich ecosystem.. crucial now is the developer. Look for even more support for the developer community and developer innovation.
• The way of ecosystems according to Marco Argenti, Senior Vice President Developer & Marketplace. Windows Phone OS is the main strategy... there's great opportunity for developers.
• Qt powers over 100 million Nokia devices - Qt is core to bringing apps to the next billion...
• People want locally relevant apps. Qt is the answer and Nokia store is the channel.
• Nokia Store - 6 million downloads per day.
• Operator billion is provide to 121 operators in 42 markets - results in 5X greater revenues and uptake.

We believe there's great opportunity to deliver Qt apps to a much broader audience.. a terrific environment for developers using QML.. supported by an active community of a half million developers.

The second, and perhaps most highly anticipated announcement at Nokia Connection was regarding the much anticipated Nokia N9 - perhaps destined to be the next Nokia Flagship device - we're guessing that a late 2011 release in some markets is expected. The Nokia N9 is fashionably modern in appearance, with a sturdy rectangular shape, metallic look and feel, and simply put, it's ALL screen! The screen is the real selling point of the N9, taking up the entire device it offers the user touch Ui and swipe. USers can expect the following functionality and features from the N9:

Instant online experience

• Nokia Maps
• Fast, 12 megapixel camera (supporting HD video capture and stereo sound)
• NFC
• Swipe UI
• and much more!

http://swipe.nokia.com/features/

 See Nokia N9 on symbianOne facebook page