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Nokia 5500 sport – smartphone announced

Today Nokia announced a sporty mobile phone – Nokia 5500 sport. The name of the model is 5500 Sport and is targetted at sportsmen and women.

Nokia 5500 Sport is not just an ordinary phone. It’s a full-featured smartphone with Symbian OS and S60 user interface. It is equipped with Bluetooth, Infrared port, USB support, GPRS class 10, EDGE class 10, as well as a microSD card slot that would support cards with capacities of up to 1GB. MP3 player and FM radio will please the music lovers.

The phone offers an elegant design with a splash and dust resistant stainless steel body and rubber grips. It’s water and dust resistant and has dimensions of 107x45x18 with a total weight of 103 gr. It has a square 262K colors display with a resolution of 208×208 pixels along with a 2 megapixel camera which would take pictures of up to 1600×1200 pixels resolution and record video of up to 176×144 pixels resolution.

Nokia 5500 Sport is not an ordinary smartphone, either. It has three working modes which are easily interchanged with a single press of a button – the normal phone mode along with the special music mode and sport mode. The handset features exclusive sports features such as pedometer for monitoring the distance traveled and the calories burnt, as well as a text-to-speech module which will read you the status of your workout or the contents of your incoming messages during workout. According to the official statements, the triband (GSM 900/1800/1900MHz) Nokia 5500 Sport will be available somewhere in the summer this year and will be sold at around 300EUR.

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Nokia suspended the release of its 6 smartphones

The Reuters website has published the info that Nokia suspends the release of its 6 new smartphones scheduled for 1Q 2006 as it works to sort out their software. Company spokesmen said the models ? 3 of its multimedia N-series handsets and 3 E-series smartphones aimed at business class ? would start shipping to the customers in the near future.

The shipments of the N91 will start this week and that of N71 and N80 in the next two weeks. The release of the N91 smartphone was originally set for the end of 2005, however it was suspended till 1Q 2006 while the company worked on some software problems. The shipments of the business smartphones the E60, E61 and the E71 set for end of March will start in the upcoming weeks.

via [Mobile Review]

Nokia launches its Nokia Mobility Hosting solution for mobile service providers

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE April 3, 2006

Nokia adds hosting to its fast-growing Services portfolio

Launch new subscriber services more quickly and efficiently with Nokia Mobility Hosting

Las Vegas, NV (CTIA Wireless 2006), US and Espoo, Finland – Nokia today launched its Nokia Mobility Hosting solution for mobile service providers, offering them the chance to quickly roll out new, exciting services for subscribers while keeping investments in check and uncertainties to a minimum.

Separately, Nokia announced it had won a push to talk (PoC) hosting trial agreement with Mobitel Slovenia. In 2005, Nokia won push to talk hosting agreements with mobilkom austria and 3 Scandinavia, and Nokia is currently in hosting solution talks with a number of service providers across the globe.

Hosting is now starting to take off, and is expected to grow sharply in the coming years as operator competition intensifies. Research group Ovum forecasts the size of the hosting market to double to 1.35 billion euros by 2009 from around 670 million in 2005.

“As the telecommunications market converges, operators are increasingly looking in the mirror and asking themselves what sort of role they want to play in this process. They are scrutinizing their business models and asking what is a core activity and what isn’t,” said Jean-Charles Doineau, Service infrastructure practice leader, Ovum.

“We feel operating service platforms is one area that some operators will offload to outside parties in the coming years. Only a handful of vendors have started to look at the potential in this market, and Nokia is one of them,” he said.

The business environment for mobile service providers is becoming tougher, and new multimedia services are becoming increasingly complex to install and maintain. By opting for Nokia’s hosting solution, operators can focus squarely on winning and retaining subscribers by offering popular services such as PoC and multimedia messaging.

“Nokia is unmatched in its ability to serve operators’ needs, from networks to devices to services. With our global footprint of hosting centers, including the new Nokia Global Networks Solutions Center in Chennai, we are in a prime position to tap the growing hosting market and ensure the best hosted solutions for our customers,” said Patrik Sallner, Head of Hosting Service Line, Networks, Nokia.

“Thanks to our broad mobile solutions portfolio and the customer understanding we have from our Enterprise Solutions, Mobile Phones and Multimedia businesses, Nokia can help service providers accelerate the time to market of new offerings. Hosting is a partnership that benefits both sides, allowing them to share initial start-up costs and also reap rewards once the services take off,” Sallner said.

Hosting is one of the many tools that Nokia can offer operators to help grow their business in the face of ever-toughening competition and growing technological complexity. Hosting sits alongside Managed Services to form one of the main pillars of Nokia’s growing Services business unit. Nokia is a leader in the managed services market, with 39 agreements in 30 countries.

Nokia provides a full range of support and services to help operators differentiate and innovate their mobile offerings, with close to 20 years’ experience in the field. Services comprises over 30 percent of revenues in Nokia’s Networks business group, and the figure is growing.

Nokia 3250 starts shipping,Nokia N91 may ship in April

The first Symbian OS 9.1 Series phone and first S60 3rd Edition phone have started shipping in the form of the Nokia 3250. The 3250 is Nokia’s mid-teir music smartphone and costs 350 Euros.The Nokia N91 will start shipping in Europe in the first week of April, and follow in the Middle East and Asia in the second week of April. Shipping dates for the US market are not yet available. The Nokia N91 is Nokia’s high end music phone and will cost 700 Euros

As ever the quoted prices from Nokia re before taxes and subsidies. This means bought SIM free the phones will cost the stated amount + tax, but if subsidised by an operator they will most likely be available for less. For example the Nokia N70 pricing was around 500 Euros at launch. It is now routinely available in the UK for free when bought with a contract.

Both phones are part of the Nokia XpressMusic brand. Features include:

* Dedicated Music Buttons.
* 3.5mm headset jack (either directly or through adaptor).
* MP3, M4A, WMA, AAC and eAAC+ formats support (both phone support WMA DRM ‘Janus’ files so you can ejoy music from music subscrition services).
* 10 hours+ music listening time.
* USB 2.0 and USB Mass Storage Support for transferring music (both phones will sync with Windows Media Player).via [All About Symbian]

Nokia debuts new mobile gaming solutions and experiences at GDC Mobile

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE Mars 20, 2006

Nokia debuts new mobile gaming solutions and experiences at GDC Mobile

First look at new developer tools and consumer interface for next generation mobile gaming platform

San Jose, CA, USA – Nokia today unveiled a new software development kit (SDK) and consumer interface for its next generation mobile gaming platform. The new tools and consumer interface are designed to empower the mobile games industry to create high quality 3D mobile games for Nokia smartphones.

“Our new SDK contains familiar tools for developers, making it easy to focus on doing what they do best – creating great mobile games,” said Gregg Sauter, Director, Games Publishing, Nokia. “Our platform lets developers put their games in millions of pockets worldwide and these new tools ensure developers can get on board to take advantage of this fantastic business opportunity.”

Nokia also showcased its next generation mobile gaming consumer interface, showing how consumers can easily discover, purchase, play, manage and share the best mobile games.

“With our new consumer interface, you get quick access to new games and information, it’s easy to buy and manage your games, and share game accomplishments with your friends. You can play fantastic looking games for a great overall entertainment experience in your pocket. This new consumer interface is going to transform the way people find and play mobile games,” continued Sauter.

The new developer tools include Game Development Libraries, based on C++ programming libraries, which will be available across multiple devices. The Game Development Libraries can be updated on the devices for resolving compatibility issues, and adding new features, including industry standard DRM solutions for content protection with minimal integration. Developers can also take advantage of the real-time connected gaming and community features enabled by the N-Gage Arena.

Nokia provides a professional development environment with debugging and analyzing tools such as on target real-time debugging and profiling over USB. Developers also have access to world class developer support through the new Forum Nokia PRO Games Zone launched today.

Nokia’s next generation mobile games platform is expected to launch in the first half of 2007, with a range of titles and devices.

Nokia wins turnkey GSM/EDGE radio network deal with Astelit in Ukraine

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE March 16, 2006

Nokia wins turnkey GSM/EDGE radio network deal with Astelit in Ukraine

Espoo, Finland – Nokia and Ukrainian mobile services operator Astelit, which operates under the brand name life:), have extended their existing frame agreement for the supply of network equipment and services. Nokia will carry out a new turnkey GSM/EDGE radio network expansion project, valued at USD 75 million, to expand Astelit’s network coverage in the Eastern and Western Ukraine. The expansion will help Astelit to attract new subscribers and increase its market share.

Under the agreement Nokia will deploy GSM/EDGE radio network equipment, including base stations, base station controllers and transmission. The full turnkey services for new sites include project management, network planning, site acquisition, civil works and implementation. Additionally, Nokia will provide network optimization, consultancy and maintenance services to support fast network rollout. The network will be supported by the Nokia NetAct(TM) network and service management system. The deliveries have already started.

“We are pleased to extend our business relationship with Nokia, who have proven their commitment and flexibility during the initial rollout of the Astelit network,” says Ahmet Tanyu, CEO, Astelit. “With this project we will enhance our high-quality network services to our existing customers, and at the same time expand life:) coverage in the Eastern and Western Ukraine, where we plan to reach new customers with our service offering.”

“We are delighted to continue to support Astelit and Turkcell’s business in the Ukrainian market,” says Jaakko Myllym?ki, Vice President, Networks, Nokia. “This coverage extension to new areas addresses new untapped areas of this country, one of the fastest growing markets of the region.”

Nokia can draw on its over 15-year track record of implementing and operating networks and its extensive practical experience of implementing mobile services for operators. Nokia has contracted operating services for over 20 operators globally, in addition to providing full turnkey implementations for a total of 27 customers in 22 countries. Nokia NetAct(TM) has been delivered to over 300 customers worldwide.

Calvin Klein of Cellular Communication quits Nokia

FoneArena has learnt from News.com.au that NOKIA’S head of design Frank Nuovo also known as Calvin Klein of Cellular Communicationis to leave the company after more than 16 years.

He would continue consulting and stay as principal designer with Vertu, Nokia’s luxury phone brand.

Nokia would also centralise design to global team overseeing all of its handsets.

Nokia Flexi WCDMA Base Station to support large portfolio of frequency bands

Nokia extends portfolio to facilitate 3G deployments around the world

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE February 13, 2006

Nokia extends portfolio to facilitate 3G deployments around the world

Nokia Flexi WCDMA Base Station to support large portfolio of frequency bands

3GSM World Congress 2006, Barcelona, Spain/Espoo, Finland – Nokia, a leader in WCDMA contracts and deployments, today announced new frequency variants for its small and modular Nokia Flexi WCDMA Base Station. The base station, showcased at the 3GSM World Congress, is on track for commercial deliveries in the latter half of 2006.? The wide choice of frequencies covered by Nokia Flexi WCDMA Base Station will enable 3G operators all over the world to build cost-efficient 3G networks.

The Nokia Flexi WCDMA Base Station will be available for the IMT-2000 frequencies 2100 MHz, 1700 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1700/2100 MHz in the second half of 2006. In the first half of 2007, further frequencies, including 850 MHz, 900 MHz and 1900 MHz will be available, whereafter other frequencies will be added based on market need.

Live video calls on the Nokia Flexi WCDMA Base Station, using a commercially available Nokia 3G device, will be demonstrated on Nokia’s stand in hall 8 at the Fira de Barcelona. The Nokia Flexi WCDMA Base Station is a high capacity base station, which is small, lightweight, modular, future proof and capable of generating up to 70 percent savings in base station site costs.

Nokia is showing its leadership in High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) with over 20 contracts to supply High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), a technology providing enhanced capacities and speeds e.g. for 3G applications such as mobile e-mail and streamed mobile TV. As a simple software upgrade to Nokia WCDMA, Nokia has already delivered HSDPA software to a sizeable number of customers. HSDPA is now commercially available from Nokia and at the conference Nokia demonstrates the next step, its innovative flat architecture Nokia Internet-HSPA solution, to operator customers. Nokia Internet-HSPA provides high-speed mobile data access with wide area coverage for data intensive mobile business and consumer applications, as well as? VoIP.

“Increasing numbers of operators are realising the revenue opportunities offered by 3G and are devising creative service packages to suit their customers’ needs.? We believe the large portfolio of 3G WCDMA frequencies supported by Nokia can help operators around the globe build fast, efficient 3G networks,” said Robin Lindahl, Vice President, Radio Networks, Nokia. “Nokia’s commitment to 3G and its evolution, HSPA, is underscored by innovations such as the Nokia Flexi WCDMA Base Station and Nokia Internet-HSPA.”

About Nokia

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.

Gartner says to Nokia : start making Windows Mobile phones or forget North American market altogether

We are not saying that tomorrow, at 3GSM 2006, Microsoft and Nokia will announce that from now on Nokia will be making Windows Mobile phones, but the facts are that now in the USA with regard to mobile phone market share, Nokia is totally losing the battle … both in regular mobile phones area and in smartphone market…

Well known market research company Gartner is very blatant about this situation of Nokia in the USA, and is actually recommending to Nokia something, that we were preaching for years – “start making Windows Mobile Nokia phones, or die”:

In the enterprise market, Nokia should expand its smartphone portfolio past Symbian to include Microsoft-based products. Nokia is in danger of making the same mistake again ? trying to force end users to take its preferred solution rather than giving them what they want. In North America, enterprises will demand Microsoft-based products. Nokia should not discontinue Symbian devices, but it should focus Symbian products on the consumer and prosumer market, while offering Microsoft-based products to the enterprise market.

Conclusion: Symbian has no future in the USA and now is on position 3 there: after Palm OS and Windows Mobile phones. Maybe it is time for Nokia to abandon the pigheaded approach of making only one-platform smartphones (i.e. only powered by Symbian) and to start making Windows Mobile Nokia phones too! The 3GSM 2006 is starting tomorrow where all top managers from Nokia are present, and where also Steve Ballmer (CEO of Microsoft) and all major managers from Microsoft’s mobile division are present too. Maybe it is time, that Nokia managers should pay a visit to Microsoft managers and start talks about launching Windows Mobile Nokia phones! The 3GSM 2006 is a very good opportunity to start these talks… and at 3GSM 2007 we may already see first Windows Mobile phones from Nokia…

Nokia and Vodafone to expand use of S60 as a standard platform

Vodafone and Nokia work together to increase the use of S60 as a standard software platform collaboration between Nokia and Vodafone expands the potential market for S60

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE February 13, 2006

Vodafone and Nokia work together to increase the use of S60 as a standard software platform collaboration between Nokia and Vodafone expands the potential market for S60

3GSM World Congress 2006, Barcelona, Spain/Espoo, Finland – Nokia Corporation and Vodafone have today announced that they are collaborating to strengthen the S60 software platform’s role in Vodafone’s device portfolio. The collaboration will help Vodafone to offer new services more quickly to its customers by increasing the use of S60 as a standard software platform for mobile handsets worldwide.

“Standardisation of handset software platforms across mobile phone manufacturers offers significant opportunities for Vodafone. We will be able to reduce time to market for new products and services and help customers take up new services more quickly. The fact that Nokia is developing the S60 platform in close co-operation with us further enhances our ability to offer innovative and consistent new services in a competitive and efficient way,” said Dirk Wierzbitzki, Deputy Director of Terminals, Vodafone Group.

S60 offers Vodafone the leading technologies in customization, extensive support for new mobile services, and the baseline for best in class user experience. S60 customization capabilities, proven by strong track record in satisfying operator needs, help Vodafone to differentiate their services and applications. Together with the S60 community, Vodafone will also be able to enhance user interfaces (UI) of mobile devices.

“We are very pleased with Vodafone’s choice of S60 as a preferred device software platform. This collaboration is an important step towards increased service differentiation and innovation speed for the whole industry. S60 platform offers a rich application suite, great extensibility and ease-of-use for multimedia, imaging and business services. High priority is given to the customization and application development needs of the operators,” said Matti V?nsk?, Vice President, Mobile Software Sales and Marketing, Nokia.

Nokia and Vodafone will develop a Vodafone-specific software complement on top of the S60 platform. The collaboration also includes the expansion of the licensee base and increased portfolio penetration through open roadmap governance and establishes a strong independent brand position for both the S60 software and the supporting developer activities. In addition, Nokia and Vodafone are working jointly to promote independently licensable reference designs from semiconductor vendors to enable shorter time to market for new S60 devices.

According to Nokia estimates, the total smartphone industry volume reached approximately 46.3 million units in 2005, compared to an estimated 20.6 million units in 2004. Nokia alone will have cumulatively shipped more than 50 million S60 enabled devices by the end of February 2006 (Nokia, February 2006).

About Nokia

About S60

The S60 built on Symbian OS, is the leading smartphone software in the world and it is licensed by some of the foremost mobile phone manufacturers in the market. The flexibility of the S60 platform allows for various hardware designs and software configurations. This is demonstrated through the multitude of S60 devices already available on the market. Through its award-winning user interface, extensive support for new mobile services and the innovation potential for partner solutions, the S60 provides an open and scalable business opportunity for mobile operators and 3rd party developers. For further information about S60 news and community, please visit www.s60.com.

About Vodafone

Vodafone is the world’s largest mobile community, with equity interests in 26 countries and Partner Networks in a further 31 countries, serving over 179 million proportionate customers. Vodafone’s global consumer service offering, Vodafone live!, opens up a world of mobile colour

NOKIA launches new GPS module

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE February 10, 2006

Making Mobile Navigation more accessible: Nokia introduces location based services to mid-range portfolio, launches new GPS module

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today underlined its effort in making location based services available to a broad consumer base with the announcement of the Nokia GPS Module LD-3W, which is compatible with a wide selection of Nokia’s Bluetooth enabled handsets. By cooperating with several partners, Nokia provides comfortable and affordable navigation solutions that are now available for many of Nokia’s mid-range handsets.

“Location based services, such as navigation and point-of-interest search for hotels and restaurants are becoming increasingly popular with consumers,” says Aage Snorgaard, Senior Vice President, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “With the introduction of the Nokia GPS Module LD-3W and through our collaborations with navigation industry players such as Wayfinder and Telmap, we offer a compelling range of location based services to the tens of millions of consumers who have one of our highly popular mid-range models, such as the Nokia 6230i or the Nokia 6280.”

The most popular location based services for consumers have been integrated car solutions. Earlier, Nokia introduced navigation to its S60 devices. Now Nokia makes location based services accessible at a lower price point.

With a handset connected to the Nokia Wireless GPS Module LD-3W, consumers see their position with up to five meters accuracy, and the easiest route to their destination on a digital map provided by Wayfinder or Telmap. Once installed with the automatic settings configuration tool, users hold an extensive selection of digital maps right in their hand. The Nokia GPS module is expected to start shipping in the 1st quarter of 2006 and retail for approximately 110 EUR excluding taxes and subsidies.

Both the Nokia GPS Module LD-3W module and suite of navigation services will be demonstrated at the partner stands of Wayfinder and Telmap at the 3GSM 2006 Congress taking place in Barcelona from February 13-16.

Nokia completes acquisition of Intellisync

Company committed to maintaining support for synchronization and mobile connectivity to applications on non-Nokia devices and multiple device platforms like Palm OS and Windows Mobile

Nokia Press Release

New York, NY, USA -Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced it has completed its acquisition of Intellisync, a leader in platform-independent wireless messaging and applications for mobile devices. As a result of the acquisition, Intellisync common stock is no longer publicly traded and each share of Intellisync common stock has been converted into the right to receive $5.25 in cash.

The transaction will enhance Nokia’s ability to respond to customer needs and effectively puts Nokia at the core of any mobility solution for businesses of all sizes. Intellisync’s entire product range will continue to be sold under the Intellisync name as part of Nokia’s business mobility solutions software business line within its Enterprise Solutions business group.

“This acquisition puts Nokia in an unparalleled position in the business mobility market,” said Mary McDowell, executive vice president and general manager, Nokia’s Enterprise Solutions business group. “By combining the existing Nokia offerings with the leading software, synchronization and device management solutions from Intellisync, we are able to connect practically any device built on any platform, to any data source, application or network.”

“Broad connectivity and application support for a multitude of device manufacturers and platforms is absolutely critical to the uptake of mobility in the business world,” continued McDowell. “The reality is that employees use a variety of devices and applications today, and many companies are challenged to provide those employees with the ability to connect to corporate information and applications like email. We know that we can drive the development of the market by continuing to work closely with our partners and redefine the way people and businesses communicate.”

With the completion of this acquisition, the Intellisync team becomes part of Nokia’s Enterprise Solutions business group, led by Mary McDowell, executive vice president and general manager.

Nokia selected for 5-year Managed Services deal with Hutchison Essar Limited

Nokia has reached a 5-year managed services agreement to run Hutchison Essar’s network operations in 9 circles in India.

Espoo, Finland – Nokia has reached a 5-year managed services agreement to run Hutchison Essar’s network operations in 9 circles in India. Nokia will assume the operation of Hutchison Essar’s networks in Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Uttar Pradesh (East and West), Rajasthan, Haryana and West Bengal, thus allowing the operator to better focus on its customers and core activities.

The agreement, for which documentation is being finalized, calls for Nokia to provide an array of solutions from its extensive services portfolio, including network planning, project management, configuration and optimization, network operations and maintenance and the administration of third party vendor contract management. Nokia will also welcome over 600 Hutchison Essar staff into its Services business unit.

“Nokia’s Managed Service know-how, plus its proven track record when it comes to operating and enhancing networks worldwide, were key drivers in helping us make this decision,” says Asim Ghosh, Managing Director, Hutchison Essar Limited. “We are happy to be working with a leader in this area.”

“We are delighted to extend our cooperation with Hutchison Essar to managed services,” says Rajeev Suri, Senior Vice President, Networks, Nokia. “The services business has become increasingly important for Nokia. Our managed services will improve Hutchison Essar’s cost structure and further enhance their service offerings.”

The contract deepens already strong ties between the two companies — Nokia is the supplier of GSM network equipment to nine of Hutchison Essar’s 13 circles, making it the largest network vendor for the operator.

Nokia’s Managed Services business is a key part of its Services business unit, and a core part of the company’s drive to help operators enhance their service offerings and reduce costs. To date Nokia has 36 managed services contracts in 28 countries, and it expects this figure to grow in the coming years.

Nokia’s operations in India include networks and terminals sales divisions, three Research and Development facilities and an upcoming manufacturing facility in Chennai that will produce both terminals and GSM infrastructure equipment.

Industry leaders unite to promote mobile TV technology

Intel, Modeo, Motorola, Nokia and Texas Instruments Working Together to Drive the Future of Mobile Entertainment

Las Vegas, NV, USA – Today, a group of the industry’s leading wireless and entertainment companies announced the formation of new organization created to promote the growth and evolution of Digital Video Broadcasting – Handheld (DVB-H), an open procedure standard for broadcast digital TV reception on mobile devices. The organization, called the Mobile DTV Alliance, includes representatives from Intel Corporation, Modeo [NYSE: CCI], Motorola [NYSE: MOT], Nokia [NYSE: NOK] and Texas Instruments (TI) [NYSE: TXN].

http://www.mdtvalliance.org

Nokia adds IBM Lotus Notes and Domino support to its mobile email portfolio

Nokia announced the addition of IBM Lotus Notes and Domino support to its mobile application platform, announced back in September 2005.

Nokia announced the addition of IBM Lotus Notes and Domino support to its mobile application platform, announced back in September 2005 ? Nokia Business Center. IBM Lotus Notes and Domino support will further complement the Business Center, which provides a combination of voice and business applications on a single device and allows a wide range of employees access to business-critical mobile email. Nokia Business Center is currently supported on more than ten Nokia smartphones and communicators. It is expected to be available to customers, equipped with IBM Lotus Notes and Domino support in the first quarter of 2006.

Source: Nokia