Nokia | Fone Arena

Event : Cellshow 2006 in Chennai

I had attended the Cell Show 2006 which is taking place at Rani Meyyammai Hall, Chennai between 22nd and 25th December.

This is the 3rd time the event is being held in Chennai. There was a good turnout for the show despite the Rs.30 entry fee. This is just an indication of the mobile madness in this city.

Airtel had a huge stall at the entrance with their red balloons. They were giving away Free Prepaid SIM cards if you had an ID proof. They were also displaying the new Blackberry Handsets. The BlackBerry Pearl 8100 and BlackBerry 8700g . It was just a demo piece and could not see them in action.

Univercell was to be seen with their stalls at every each and every corner. They had a stall for each of the popular brands.

I got my hands on the The Motorola Fone F3 which was launched recently.Its called the ” Unbreakable Handset ” Its priced at around Rs.1500. Its appears like a low price market winner from Motorola. The handset is interestingly manufactured in India by Flextronics in Chennai.

I tried the Motorola Ming A1200 – the Linux PDA. The Handwriting recognition is not the best one.But its a phone which has got a unique combination of features.

Wizdom.in who are the pioneers in mobile learning in India were showcasing their Mobile Application. A free demo app was available to the visitors on request.

Pictures will be available soon.

Nokia announces 6300, 6290, 6086 and 2626

Nokia today announced 4 new mobile phones at the Nokia’s annual Capital Market Days at Amsterdam.The list includes 3 mid-range models – 6300,6290,6086 and an entry level model- 2626.All four models are expected to begin shipping in the first quarter of 2007.

Nokia 6300

Nokia 6290

�Nokia 6086

Nokia 2626

Nokia Lamborghini launch 8800 Sirocco Limited Edition Phone

Nokia and Lamborghini have teamed up for a a limited edition Nokia 8800 Sirocco phone.

The phone features special Lamborghini themes and ring tones as well as a video documentary.

Mostly software and cosmetic changes can be seen in this phone. It also sports Lamborghini made ball bearings in the slider mechanism.

Only 500 of the phones will be made and will only be available from Lamborghini dealerships.

Read

Nokia and Bharti Airtel sign contract for network expansion

Press Release
Nokia and Bharti Airtel sign USD 400 million network expansion, managed services contract

Espoo, Finland – Bharti Airtel Limited has awarded Nokia an estimated USD 400 million contract to expand its managed GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks in eight Airtel circles and deploy a pan-Indian WAP solution across its networks.

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As per the three-year contract, Nokia will provide managed services and expand Airtel networks to cover all towns and cities in the eight telecom circles of Mumbai, Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Bihar (including Jharkhand), Orissa, Kolkata, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh (including Chattisgarh). The network monitoring operations will be carried out from Nokia’s state-of-the-art Global Network Services Center in Chennai.

� Continue reading

Nokia launches WidSets – Mobile Widgets

WidSets is a mobile widget platform available for Java MIDP 2.0 phones and is completely manufacturer and browser independent. Like widgets on a computer, WidSets provide immediate access to information for everything from RSS feeds to blog posts to photo-uploading sites. Nokia has filled the library with a rather large variety of options to add to your phone. Templates are available for creating your own, too. Just head over to the site, register, download the install client, and load up�they�re free.

� Continue reading “Nokia launches WidSets – Mobile Widgets”

Nokia introduces Wibree

Nokia has come out with a new wireless connectivity standard called Wibree. Nokia claims that Wibree maintains a data rate of 1Mbps (not as good as Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, which tops out at 2.1Mbps) at a range of up to 30 feet (yes, Class 1 Bluetooth can go up to 100 meters), operates in the 2.4 GHz band, but says that it’s “10 times more energy efficient than Bluetooth,” according to Bob Iannucci, head of Nokia Research Center. Nokia also said that it’s working with Broadcom, CSR, Epson, Nordic Semicondutor and other companies to further develop the standard so that Wibree products can be released by the second quarter of 2007.

Nokia Press Release

Nokia introduces Wibree technology as open industry initiative

A unique radio technology extending local connectivity to small devices

Helsinki, Finland – Nokia today introduced Wibree technology as an open industry initiative extending local connectivity to small devices. This new radio technology developed by Nokia Research Center complements other local connectivity technologies, consuming only a fraction of the power compared to other such radio technologies, enabling smaller and less costly implementations and being easy to integrate with Bluetooth solutions. Wibree is the first open technology offering connectivity between mobile devices or Personal Computers, and small, button cell battery power devices such as watches, wireless keyboards, toys and sports sensors. By extending the role mobile devices can play in consumers’ lives, this technology increases the growth potential in these market segments.

The goal being to have the new technology available to the market as fast as possible, Nokia is defining the Wibree interoperability specification together with a group of leading companies representing semiconductor manufacturers, device vendors and qualification service providers. The technology will be made broadly available to the industry through an open and preferably existing forum enabling wide adoption of the technology. The forum solution is under evaluation and will be defined by the time the specification is finalized. According to the current estimate the first commercial version of the interoperability specification will be available during second quarter of 2007.

The current members of the group defining the specification are: Broadcom Corporation, CSR, Epson and Nordic Semiconductor having licensed the Wibree technology for commercial chip implementation and Suunto and Taiyo Yuden, contributing to the interoperability specification in their respective areas of expertise.

“Wibree technology is an important development that opens up new market opportunities and a whole new range of possibilities for mobile users,” says Dr. Bob Iannucci, head of Nokia Research Center. “Our aim is to establish an industry standard faster than ever before by offering an interoperable solution that can be commercialized and incorporated into products quickly.”

Technical details: Wibree technology complements close range communication with Bluetooth like performance within 0-10 m range and data rate of 1 Mbps. Wibree is optimized for applications requiring extremely low power consumption, small size and low cost. Wibree is implemented either as stand-alone chip or as Bluetooth-Wibree dual-mode chip. The small devices like watches and sports sensors will be based on stand-alone chip whereas Bluetooth devices will take benefit of the dual-mode solution, extending Bluetooth device connectivity to new range of smallest devices. For more information on Wibree see the website http://www.wibree.com Read – Nokia press release
Read – Reuters

via engadget mobile

Nokia Music phones announced

3 new Nokia Music phones announced .The new digital wonders are the Nokia 5300 XpressMusic, Nokia 5200 and Nokia 3250 XpressMusic. The XpressMusic series lineup would be the Nokia’s answer to the Sony Ericsson Walkman series mobiles. This new range of Nokia phones would offer dedicated music keys for fast and easy access to the music features, 3.5 mm in-box adapters to put to good use your favorite standard headphones and a memory card slots for storing those precious music tracks. All phones will be sold with the Nokia Music Manager software which should allow easier transfer of tracks between the device and the personal computer.
Continue reading “Nokia Music phones announced”

Nokia launches N95 multimedia phone

Nokia N95 is a descendant of Nokia N80 and offers a first of its kind 2-way sliding construction along with many other high-end features. The integrated GPS functionality has been becoming increasingly popular in hand-held devices. Embracing that trend, Nokia N95 comes with an integrated GPS module which working alongside with the preinstalled Maps application can help you navigate through the busy city streets as easy as you would with a in-dash automobile GPS system. Besides that, it’s the first HSDPA (3.5G) mobile of the Finnish manufacturer. HSDPA is not so wide spread right now but undoubtedly it would be the leading standard for fast data transfers to mobile devices in the future. Besides HSDPA, Nokia N95 features all other current connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE, quad-band GSM, stereo Bluetooth, Infrared and USB 2.0 plus a TV-out port.

The all-around musical experience is enhanced by the presence of the built-in stereo speakers, a 3.5 mm audio jack for using regular headphones, FM radio and microSD memory card slot which currently means that the mobile can accommodate up to 2GB of additional memory besides the 160MB internal one. In an attempt to turn it into an all-time reigning multimedia champion, Nokia engineers have integrated into N95 an impressive 5 megapixel camera with Carl-Zeiss optics, autofocus and the capability of recording videos at DVD-like quality.

Having in mind all that, it comes as a pleasant surprise that the mobile has rather reasonable dimensions, being slimmer and even lighter than Nokia N80. The device is equipped with a large 2.6″ TFT display with a QVGA (240×320) resolution.

Nokia N95 would be available in the first quarter of 2007 and is expected to hit the shelves at a price of 550 EUR

Specifications for the Nokia N95
Band	GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz, UMTS 2100MHz
Data	GPRS/WCDMA/HSDPA/WiFi
Size	99mm x 53mm x 19mm (4.0″ x 2.0″ x 0.7″)
Weight	120g (4.2oz)
Battery Life	8.75 days standby time
Battery Life	2.5/3.5 hours talk time (GSM/UMTS)
Main Display	2.6″ 16M color TFT, 240×320 resolution
Sub-Display	N/A
Camera	Yes, 5 megapixel w/ Carl Zeiss optics
Video	VGA capture/playback at 30fps
Messaging	MMS/EMS/SMS
Email	Yes, POP/IMAP4/SMTP
Bluetooth	Yes, A2DP
Infrared	Yes
Java	Yes
Polyphonics	Yes
Memory	160MB, microSD memory slot
Availability	Q1 2007 (manufacturer’s estimate)
Other	MP3/AAC/W4A/WMA music player, FM radio, dedicated music keys, speakerphone

Nokia launches new music phones range

Targeting at the portable music players fans, the Finnish manufacturer has upgraded its highly popular N-series mobiles – Nokia N70, Nokia N73, and Nokia N91.

The flagship in this Music Range trio is the Nokia N91 which would offer a 8GB hard disk for storing all your favorite tracks. Dressed in black and stylish as ever, the new Music Edition or Music Range N-series devices are ready more than ever to be used as music players on-the-go. The added music features include the addition of dedicated music player control keys, new Nokia Music Manager software as a part of the Nokia PC Suite, 3.5 mm jacks for using standard headphones with the mobiles, and more memory for the storing music.
The Nokia N70 Music Edition and Nokia N73 Music Edition are expected to become commercially available in October 2006 and the Nokia N91 8GB by the end 2006, at estimated prices of 350, 450 and 550 euros respectively.

Nokia Press Release

New Nokia Nseries range shines spotlight on music
September 26, 2006

Special black editions of Nokia N70, Nokia N73 and Nokia N91 8GB offer ultimate mobile music experiences
Nokia Open Studio 2006, New York, US – Today, Nokia unveiled music editions of three Nokia Nseries multimedia computers, the Nokia N70 Music Edition, Nokia N73 Music Edition and Nokia N91 8GB. The Nokia Nseries Music Range combines sleek black design with heightened mobile music experiences appealing to the music enthusiast in everyone. Key benefits include dedicated music access keys, Nokia PC Suite and new software for easy synchronization and music management, and additional storage capacity – with an 8GB hard drive, the Nokia N91 8GB is a fully-loaded music machine!

Continue reading “Nokia launches new music phones range”

Nokia 6288 the upgraded 6280

Nokia has revealed a design update to the popular 6280 slider handset, the new 6288. While no departure has been made from the 6280 in terms of features, the 6288 does include a much cleaner front design.

Mirroring the 6280, the 6288 sports a solid all-round feature set. The 3G capable 6288 has imaging covered with a rearward facing 2.0 megapixel camera, plus a forward facing VGA resolution unit for video calling. Shipping with a 512MB memory card, the 6288 is in prime position to utilize its QVGA (240×320 pixel) resolution, 262k color TFT display for video, and Bluetooth wireless technology is available for short range communication. The Nokia 6288 weighs in at 115g (4.06oz), and will be available in both cool white and black color schemes.

Nokia expect the 6288 will be available come this fall, and should retail for around 325 Euro (around US$400) before any applicable operator subsidies.

via [Mobile Burn]

Nokia Microsoft join hands for Mobile Search

Nokia has reached an agreement with Microsoft to integrate Live Search capabilities into its Mobile Search platform, thus enabling consumers access to Live Search directly from their Nokia Nseries smartphones and other compatible Nokia S60 devices.

Live Search will provide advanced web search results in 14 languages. Microsoft will provide advanced search results for web search, as well as information such as stock quotes, movie times, and common facts via Encarta Instant Answers.

The Mobile Search application is expected to be available in select markets in the standard sales packs of the Nokia N80 Internet Edition, Nokia N73 (pictured), Nokia N93, Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6680, and Nokia 6681, it is also offered as a free download for select Nokia S60 devices.
Nokia Press Release

Nokia collaborates with Microsoft on Mobile Search

Nokia embeds Live Search services into its Mobile Search Platform

Espoo, Finland � Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced that it has reached an agreement with Microsoft to integrate Live Search capabilities into its Mobile Search platform, thus enabling consumers access to Live Search directly from their Nokia Nseries multimedia computers and other compatible Nokia S60 devices. Live Search will provide advanced web search results in 14 languages to enable on-the-go access to the information and content consumers want most.

Microsoft will provide advanced search results for web search, as well as quick and easy access to information such as stock quotes, movie times, and common facts via Encarta Instant Answers*. The Mobile Search experience from Nokia allows users to find search results more quickly than by using the browser and finding the web page of an internet search provider, since in many cases search will be accessible directly from the menu screen.

�Adding the advanced searching capabilities of Microsoft�s Live Search to our Mobile Search platform provides our customers with unique and powerful new ways to search the internet on their multimedia computers and many other compatible Nokia mobile devices,� commented Ralph Eric Kunz, vice president, Multimedia Experiences. �The Mobile Search platform is dedicated towards creating a user experience that is easy to access and optimally integrated into other functions of the device. �

�We are pleased to provide advanced Live Search services to enhance the search experience on Nokia’s S60 handsets,� said John DeVitis, product unit manager of Live Search for mobile at Microsoft Corp. �Live Search offers consumers unprecedented control and personalization giving them easy access to searching the web plus targeted instant information from their mobile devices.�

The Mobile Search application is expected to be available in select markets in the standard sales packs of the Nokia N80 Internet Edition, Nokia N73, Nokia N93, Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6680, and Nokia 6681, it is also offered as a free download for select Nokia S60 devices from www.nokia.com/mobilesearch.

via [geekzone]

Reliance Communications ties up for Nokia 1255 priced at Rs.2000

Finnish mobile handset manufacturer Nokia and Reliance Communications Ltd have joined hands to market the Nokia 1255 mobile handset in India at a price of Rs 1,999.

thehindubusinessline reports

This is Nokia’s maiden offer of a CDMA handset in the sub Rs 2,000 range and is aimed at first time mobile users. There are, however, cheaper CDMA handsets from other manufacturers being offered by operators in the country.

Nokia 1255 is an entry level black and white handset and has features such as a two-way hands-free speakerphone, voice recorder and a calendar with an alarm clock among others.

Nokia 1255 phone: A classic value

The value-priced Nokia 1255 phone packs an extra-large feature set into an extra-small package. The 80-gram phone offers productivity tools such as a two-way handsfree speakerphone, voice recorder and a calendar with an alarm clock. Other fun features include two built-in games, 20 ringtones and a selection of user-selectable screen savers. In recognition of the need to stay in touch while minimizing downtime, the Nokia 1225 phone delivers up to four hours of talk time and up to 10 days of standby time. A partial list of additional features includes:

– 250 contact phonebook

– Text messaging

– Stopwatch and countdown timer

– Internal vibrating alert

– Easy-to-use Nokia user interface

Motorola , LG and now its Nokia’s turn to name their phones

Nokia is joining the bandwagon – naming the phones instead of giving them numbers.
Motorola’s RAZR SLVR and PEBL might have enjoyed great sales just because of their

attractive names. LG’s Chocolate also is a hit.

Nokia’s is known not to concentrate on thin phones like Motorola or Samsung do.

Naming of phones is the consumer interest. Most people hate referring to numbers when it

comes to electronic gadgets . They prefer names . So Nokia’s initiative to name its future

Mobile models might be a late but great move .

via [reuters]

Motorola to setup facility in Chennai

Motorola, the world’s second largest handset-maker, on Wednesday said it will spend $100 million in stages to set up a manufacturing facility near Chennai, in an attempt to boost sales in one of the world’s hottest mobile markets. “India is a vitally important market for Motorola and as a strategic manufacturing hub offers compelling value proposition and strong cost efficiencies,” Ron Garriques, executive vice-president at Motorola Inc, said in a statement.

Once its unit is up and running, Motorola would join companies like LG, Samsung, Elcoteq, XL Telecom and Nokia that have set up production facilities in the country.

All told, some 20 million handsets are expected to be produced in India this year, a figure that could go up by 50 per cent in 2007.

Motorola today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government for setting up its facility on a 300-acre Sriperumbudur Hi-Tech Special Economic Zone, where Flextronics and Foxcon will also have their facilities. Motorola will be allotted about 70 acres of land in this SEZ.

The company plans to make an initial investment of $30 million, which it expects to upscale to $100 million in the next one year. In the first phase, it will set up a facility over 2.5 lakh sq ft, which will manufacture mobile handsets, including sub-$30 mobile phones, and support production and assembly of network base stations for products across Motorola’s Network and Enterprise portfolio. It will also manufacture set-top boxes.

Addressing a press conference, Stu Reed, executive vice-president (integrated supply chain), Motorola Inc, said the manufacture of products like sub-$30 mobile handsets would go well with the government’s plan to offer rural connectivity.

He added that the plant would initially focus on serving the domestic market and later look at exporting products to neighbouring countries, West Asia and Africa.

The manufacturing facility is expected to be operational in early 2007 and will have a capacity to manufacture one million handsets per month. It is likely to employ about 3,000 people in the initial phase and the total employment is expected to go up to 7,000 in the second phase.

In addition to the company’s investment, it will facilitate its supplier to move into the park. Motorola’s manufacturing initiative will supplement its six R&D centres in India.

via [rediff]

Nokia to bundle Google talk on internet tablet

Nokia, the world’s top mobile phone maker, will unveil on Tuesday a new version of its Internet tablet device that runs Google Talk communications software, sources familiar with the plans said on Friday.

The pact between the Finnish company and Web search leader Google Inc. would offer consumers the ability to chat with other users of instant messaging software via the Nokia Wi-Fi device, which relies on short-range wireless networks.

The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, introduced last year, offers wireless access to digital music and video playing on a high-contrast color screen, as well as to check e-mail, surf the Web and read computer documents or play video games.

At a press conference to be held in Stockholm on Tuesday, Espoo, Finland-based Nokia will introduce a new version of the Internet Tablet with upgraded software and hardware elements, one source said.

In contrast to phones, the Nokia 770 relies on unregulated local wireless connections rather than cell phone networks.

Google Talk, which allows users to chat via text or to talk with other instant message users, will be one of the featured applications on the Nokia Internet Tablet, a second source confirmed.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the news.

The deal with Nokia marks the Mountain View, California-based Google’s latest move beyond computers and into the mobile communications market.

Earlier this year it announced a plan with Nokia’s biggest rival, Motorola Inc. to feature Google search software on Motorola phones.

Google rivals Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are also pushing to have their services featured on handsets. Yahoo is offered on several Nokia phone models.