Nokia to launch touch-screen device in UAE later this year

Mobile phone giant Nokia is to offer its first touch-screen device in the UAE later this year, in a direct challenge to the dominance of the iPhone.

Apple's multi-function phone remains officially unavailable in the Emirates, despite being rolled out in dozens of countries under individual deals with telecoms operators.

Nokia, which is late to the touch-screen market, announced yesterday it would launch its phone in the UAE, alongside Taiwan, Spain, Russia, Indonesia, India and Hong Kong this year. France and Britain will follow next year. The announcement was made in London where Nokia said it would start to offer unlimited music through mobile phones in Britain on October 16 as it seeks to muscle in on a market dominated by Apple's iPod music player.