Only one laser-eyed penguin phone from Nokia next year

Nokia has plans to bring out just one Linux phone in 2010, according to a Reuters‘ source with “direct knowledge of Nokia’s product roadmap.”

You could be forgiven for expecting more handsets using Nokia’s Linux-based Maemo operating system, which launched on the flagship N900 handset (or will, when it finally gets a proper UK release). Looks like Nokia is loathe to confirm or deny the news, as a spokesperson declined to comment on future products but did add, “We remain firmly committed to Symbian as our smart phone platform of choice” – which seems fairly conclusive at this stage.

But there will be at least one smart phone from the Finns that does use Linux, the Nokia N900, so thankfully we won’t have to say farewell to Maemo and its laser-eyed penguin just yet.