Nokia has introduced a range of new products, services and partnerships at Mobile World Congress, setting the pace for its new strategic direction.
The new strategy has already resulted in the adoption of Windows Phone as Nokia's primary smartphone platform, major changes to its feature phones, and additional emphasis on location-based services with the launch of its Location & Commerce business.
'One year ago, we shared that Nokia was embarking on a new journey to build great mobile devices,' said Stephen Elop, president and CEO of Nokia. 'Today, with our fourth Lumia device, smarter mobile phones and an array of new services, we are demonstrating that we can change the clock speed of Nokia.'
Nokia has extended the range of products with Windows Phone by introducing the Nokia Lumia 610, the most affordable Lumia yet, as well as targeting availability of the widely acclaimed Lumia 900 to additional markets beyond the US.
Aimed at young people who want an affordable introduction to Lumia and Windows Phone, the Nokia Lumia 610 provides easy access, web browsing, music, games, navigation and tens of thousands of apps in the Windows Phone Marketplace.
The Nokia Lumia 900, which launched in January as Nokia's first LTE-enabled smartphone in the US, will now be available in dual carrier HSPA for up 42.2 Mbps. With its 4.3 inch ClearBlack AMOLED display and large capacity battery, it will be available now to more countries around the world.
On the Nokia Lumia 900 and Nokia Lumia 610, the new Nokia Reading app will act as an e-reader hub for books, magazines, news and more.
Nokia also today ushered in a new era in high end smartphone imaging. The Nokia 808 PureView is the first smartphone to feature exclusive Nokia PureView imaging technologies that will enable a range of high end imaging experiences into Nokia products over coming years. The Nokia 808 PureView combines a large, high resolution 41 megapixel sensor, Carl Zeiss optics and Nokia-developed pixel over-sampling technology. This means incredibly sharp, detailed images, superior low light performance and the capability to save images in compact file sizes for sharing in email, MMS and on social networks.
The Nokia 808 PureView also includes Nokia Rich Recording for CD-like quality audio recording, full HD 1080p video recording and playback, and exclusive Dolby Headphone technology to transform any stereo content into a personal surround sound experience over any headphones.
Nokia is further blurring the line between feature phones and smartphones, launching three new Asha devices for people who want to work, learn and play. Developed for urban consumers and entrepreneurs, the Nokia Asha 302 is a premium QWERTY device. It delivers a mobile office experience with push email and calendar, and contacts synchronisation under the Mail for Exchange support, a first for Nokia Series 40 devices.
Designed for easy access to social networks, the Nokia Asha 202 and 203 bring touchscreens to volume-priced products and a pack of 40 free Electronic Arts games. The Asha 202 also features Nokia's Easy Swap Dual SIM technology, allowing people to simply swap between tariffs and get the best value from carriers.
Nokia is also differentiating itself by updating its popular Life Tools service, now called Nokia Life, that provides life-enhancing information across the range of Nokia Series 30 and Series 40 products, including the new Asha 202 and Asha 203. People in India, China, Indonesia and Nigeria will benefit from life skills, parenting, education, agriculture and entertainment services, delivered via SMS
In location-based services, Nokia and Groupon plan to offer location-sensitive discounts and deals. Nokia is also announcing a new version of Nokia Drive for Windows Phone that will come with full offline support for turn-by-turn navigation. Moving forward, Nokia Drive will also remember a personal commute, give advance traffic notice and automatically re-route to avoid jams.
Additionally, Nokia plans to release the Windows Phone version of Nokia Transport for door-to-door, underground, tram, suburban train, and bus directions in more than 500 cities and 45 countries.
