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Crystal is the the actual code name for Symbian's Design Reference. A lot of what will make up the final machine is left up to the manufacturer. For example the programs in Extra maybe different. For example some may include mapping and GPS software, while other will include extra tools for configuring the phone if one is built in.

Perhaps the best example of this is the fact that the design reference does not specify a touch screen and indeed one in not included on the Nokia device. Instead it uses hard button to represent the clicking of the toolbar buttons and arrow keys to navigate around the screen. It also means there is no sketch app. It is difficult to imagine that Psion will do this. We can probably expect a touch screen device from them, although whether a GSM Phone is included is open to debate following their divorce from Motorola.

This is the Nokia 9210, you can clearly see the buttons on the right hand side. Notice also that they keys for launching the applications are along the top of the keyboard. This is a contrast with the current Psion devices which have softkeys along the edge of the screen and is a feature that we can expect to see in their device.

The Symbian emulator is on the while based upon the Nokia one, however they are not identical (most notably in appearance, but also in what is on the extras bar).

However this similarity may at first being worrying if you are looking for a more Psion like implementation. I don't think this is a concern. With the Nokia being the first device to be publicly released and easily the most far on in terms of development the Emulator is going to be Nokia like. We should also remember that Nokia did have a big influence on the design. However the GUI would be relatively easy to redesign. When it comes down to it the only major differences are in the file management side of things. However if we remember Navigator we know how it is possible to design a new interface and I expect this is what Psion will do. We may also see a change in the toolbar style. Apart from that the differences are only in the enhancement of the applications, although the underlying changes are huge (just as between SIBO and EPOC I would imagine).

So although the screenshots of this device make not look like the Psion's we all know and love remember it is early days and thing will undoubtedly change. Perhaps the most telling factor is that the implementation is very similar to that used on the previos Nokia Communicators and the design on the 9210 is to ease transition from these devices. Any other Crystal devices are likely to have very different front ends.

More information will be added as it becomes available.