CEO announces new products including the next generation of Nokia Eseries devices, plus navigation and Mobile TV devices targeted at the mass market
Nokia President and CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo reinforced the company’s commitment to lead the next phase of mobility and unveiled a new line up of devices and services that harness internet connectivity and will begin to transform how people use mobility in their professional and personal lives.
Speaking at the Nokia Press Conference at the show, Kallasvuo said “The worlds of mobility and the internet are merging, but as an industry we are still only scratching the surface of the possibilities this offers. Nokia is driving the change, taking a lead in harnessing this new connectivity in ways that will transform how we use mobile devices for work and in our personal lives. The products we are launching today reflect some key areas that we believe will become part of this new connected life and where we will start to see much more widespread adoption.”
Centre stage in Nokia’s news today are a series of new announcements focused on removing the barriers to widespread adoption of business mobility, and making it easier and more compelling for business customers and operators to benefit from it.
The company announced a trio of new Nokia Eseries devices, designed for business professionals, including the slim line Nokia E61i emailer device, the stylish Nokia E65 slider, and an evolution of the legendary communicator into an all inclusive business device with advanced technologies, such as HSDPA and integrated GPS, the Nokia E90 Communicator.
Each is a feature packed, design rich device using 3G and Wlan technologies, and the flexible S60 software platform, to enhance the way people experience work in a mobile world. The devices also feature high-quality cameras.
Nokia E65 is available now in select markets, with broader availability building during the first quarter of 2007. Nokia E61i will be available during the second quarter of 2007, and the first deliveries of the Nokia E90 Communicator are anticipated to take place during the second quarter of 2007, with volume global availability during third quarter of 2007.
The company also announced the launch of Nokia Intellisync Mobile Suite 8.0 mobileware, the industry’s most flexible platform, providing mobile email, mobile file and data synchronization and robust security and device management capabilities to the Nokia Eseries products and more than 100 other devices – the most extensive support in the industry. New or enhanced features include a two-tier licensing model, a new user interface, further strengthened mobile security capabilities, and extensive additional language and connectivity support.
Recognizing the huge potential of location based services, one of the fastest growing areas in mobile devices, Nokia released its first mass market navigation-enabled mobile phone, the Nokia 6110 Navigator.
Using integrated GPS, the phone enables consumers to quickly and easily view their current location on map, search for destinations, find specific routes, or locate nearby services such as restaurants, hotels or shops. Featuring full turn-by-turn 3D navigation, it suggests the best route to follow by car or on foot, using voice or visual instructions on a map. The Nokia 6110 Navigator is expected to begin shipping in the second quarter of 2007.
Kallasvuo also unveiled the Nokia N77 multimedia computer designed to accelerate the take up of DVB-H mobile TV devices, a market he predicted would reach between 5 to 10 million units by end of 2008 and around 20 million units by the end of 2009.
The Nokia N77 is an easy to use and stylishly mobile TV device. Features include a wide 2.4″ screen with up to 16 million colors, high quality stereo sound, alerts when programs are starting, and a guide to view program information for up to seven days, browse TV channels, and purchase new channels. It is expected to start shipping during the second quarter of 2007 in countries where DVB-H services are available.
Building on the importance of Internet video content, Nokia also launched the Nokia Video Center, an application that brings together all the sources of mobile video, and announced YouTube and Reuters as the first global content partners. The service combines branded video services, internet videos and sideloaded videos from the PC in one single place. It will be available globally in the markets where Nokia Nseries devices are sold, preinstalled first in the Nokia N95 multimedia computer and available for download to other Nokia Nseries multimedia computers.
Also at the 3GSM show, Nokia introduced the new Nokia 3110 classic, a robust and dependable device with a contemporary design. With applications including an FM stereo radio, music player with expandable memory, video ringing tones and a 1.3 megapixel camera, the Nokia 3110 classic offers a wide range of conventional features at an accessible price. It is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2007.
The Nokia Bluetooth Display Car Kit CK -15W, compatible with the new Nokia 3110 classic and a wide range of other devices, was released at the show. The Kit offers a number of elements that enable easy in-car communications including a large color screen for easy usage and viewing. It is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2007.
In technology news, Nokia announced a software collaboration with Telecom Italia to further strengthen the operator’s innovative service portfolio as they select S60 software to drive growth in the advanced mobile market in Italy.