Jolla supposedly will be unveiling their first phone next month, so not much longer to wait.  The UI work has already been completed and the core has been done.  I think most of the additional wait could be for the SDK side of the house.  Just ask Microsoft how hard an SDK is; WP8 still doesn’t have one released for all to use.

I think it would be hard to use.  Have it in a pocket and since it is round, you have no idea which direction is up.  While it would be easier to hold, displays are not round, images are not round, etc.  I just view it as a weird shape not very user friendly.

Like I said, it is a rumor as is most things surrounding Jolla.  They are being very secretive and you can’t blame them.  MeeGo and the Swipe UI Nokia had would have competed nicely against Android and iOS.  Some of the main players that created the Swipe UI are now at Jolla.  It will be interesting to see what they produce but right now, they don’t want the competition to see what they are doing.  It wouldn’t surprise me if the Jolla people are not using an N9 to run their OS right now.

Round phone? Haven't heard that one. I'm intrigued.

I think that became their plan when that deal was announced.  To get native apps you need devices sold, so it makes sense that they would make China a priority with that deal in place.  D.Phone could also assist in getting a manufacturer as well.

I just hope the rumor of a round phone is false.  If it is true, then they must have hired the “side-talking” guy from Nokia.

That's right. I guess that partnership in the summer was a big hint about Jolla's plans. 

Based on Jussi Hurmola's comments in this story, Jolla is very keen to avoid fragmentation. And it thinks the way to prevent that from happening is to set up alliances, like this one for China, in different regions for the Sailfish OS. 

I'm looking forward to Jolla's smartphone that's coming out soon too!

They also have an agreement with D.Phone which was announced back in July.