(Telecompaper) Nokia has unveiled the Nokia Asha 501, the first device to run on the new Asha platform, designed to make smartphones faster and more responsive and aimed at the sub-USD 100 market. Nokia expects to start shipping the new phone in June 2013 and to make it available through around 60 operators and distributors in over 90 countries for USD 99 before taxes and subsidies. The Asha 501 comprises a removable casing and a scratch-resistant, 3-in capacitive touschscreen display with a single back button. The Asha 501 will come in six colours and will feature a 3.2 MP camera, single and dual Sim versions, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Nokia said it expects to sell 100 million new-generation Asha smartphones over the coming years. Apps already in available or in development include CNN, eBuddy, ESPN, Foursquare, LinkedIn and games from EA, Gameloft and Namco-Bandai. Nokia is offering the Asha SDK 1.0 and Nokia Asha web app tools. It will release within the next few weeks a public beta of the In-App Payment tool that will support existing Asha and Series 40 phones.