Nokia Readies iPhone Challenging Tube

Nokia is working on a touch-screen handset that sounds like a major change to the iPhone.

Nokia has released some details about its upcoming new phone, aimed at posing a significant challenge to the iPhone.Nokia Vice President Tom Libretto, speaking yesterday at the Evans Data Developer Relations Conference inRedwood City, Calif., gave some tantalizing hints.   Currently code-named the Tube, it will have a touch screen, and it will support Java, something not found in its rival. Moreover, it’sexpected to support the European mobile TV standard, DVB-H, and give users the ability to upload pictures to the Web, possibly by either Wi-Fi or HSDPA connectivity.   It’s also expectedthat the handset will include GPS. Speculation is that the Tube will be rolled out commercially in the second half of 2008.   Apple had sold four millioniPhones by the end of January. In 2007, Nokia shipped 60 million phones – meaning it brings a giant’s hand to the proceedings.