September. That’s when the next iPhone is rumored to come out. It’s also when industry sources claim HTC, Samsung and LG will launch the first Mango-based Windows smartphones. Nokia CEO Stephen Elop wants to release the first Nokia Windows Phone this year. Long-time Nokia fans probably assume December 31st, 2011 because Nokia has been really slow to act lately.

Sources told Digitimes that Nokia is expected to unveil the first batch of Windows Phones at Nokia World in October. Is that too late?

Speaking of lateness, it’s been almost a year since the Nokia N8 was released. It’s currently the only Nokia device I enjoy carrying around because of its awesome camera. Surprisingly, it’s 2011 and we still don’t have a portrait QWERTY keyboard. Nokia at least promised a date. They said to wait until the end of August to download the Symbian Anna update.

September is looking to be an exciting month for cellphone fanatics. It’d be a real shame if all Nokia can come up with by that time is the addition of portrait keyboard to their current devices. Is Nokia going to be late to the game again?

photo: Tim Norris