With the codename ‘Tube’ and a primary objective to topple iPhone from its position as the world’s favourite mobile, Nokia’s debut touchscreen superhero device is gathering pace.

We already know Tube can match iPhone with an accelerometer-powered screen and an intuitive touch interface from our first mouth-watering iPhone killer story. Now, although Nokia is still isn’t showing its hand, word has it that it will be its slimmest and cleverest device yet with a huge pin-sharp widescreen display. Matching the iPhone for features and adding 3G and additional memory should give Tube a technical advantage and from our first glimpses, it’s one seriously handsome handset too.

There’s still no launch date, but Tube was touted at a recent developer conference in Redwood City, California by Forum Nokia’s Vice Persident, Tom Libretto. On hearing the news that Apple has shipped 5 to 6 million iPhones, he responded “We’ve done that [volume] since we’ve had dinner on Friday”. OK Nokia, there’s no need to rub it in.

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