European buyers tantalised by the LG GW990 smartphone that Intel demonstrated at the recent CES in Las Vegas should get ready for disappointment; the device will not be available over here.

The touch-screen device, expected for launch sometime in the second half of 2010, is based on a processor derived from Intel's Atom processors rather than an ARM chip, and runs the Linux-based Moblin platform.

However, in response to a request for more details on the device, an LG spokesperson told V3.co.uk "This handset will only be available in the US and unfortunately there are no plans to introduce it in the UK."

No reason was specified as to why LG plans to restrict the GW990 to the USA, but as it is very early days for this kind of device format, perhaps the company intends to test the water before committing itself to other markets.