Nokia tipped to launch Symbian Belle update or new smartphone

Nokia is due to launch another update for its ailing Symbian platform just days after releasing the Anna update for its high-end smartphones, including the N8.

The company has made a countdown clock available on its Facebook page, along with the cryptic message: "It's time to try something new."

Nokia is set to make the announcement in just over 45 hours, and the firm's Facebook followers appear to be convinced that the firm will launch Symbian Belle as it has been leaked onto YouTube.

The interface appears to have passing similarities with Nokia's forthcoming MeeGo operating system. It sports a drop down notifications bar as well as revamped keyboard and widgets.

Users can also expect enhanced customisation options, and there are suggestions that Nokia is gearing up to launch a new app store.

However, it would seem odd for Nokia to release two high-profile updates within a week, leading to speculation that a new handset could be unleashed.

"How can people say its Belle when Anna hasn't even been deployed fully around the world yet? I am guessing it might be a 3D Symbian phone announcement maybe," said Nokia customer Ben Liu on the Facebook page.

It remains to be seen whether this annoucement will help Symbian gain some momentum in the smartphone market. However, at least Nokia appears to be following through on its promise to support the platform until 2016, unlike HP which unceremoniously dumped its webOS platform after lacklustre smartphone and tablet sales.

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