Nokia to Offer Mobile Web Device with Color
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Nokia (NOK1V.HE) upped the pressure on rivals on Tuesday when it unveiled a mobile device with a color display that acts like a personal organizer and lets the user make phone calls, access the Web and e-mails.
Finnish Nokia Oyj Abp, the world's largest maker of mobile phones, said it expected the pocket-size Nokia 9210 Communicator to be available on the GSM market in Europe, Africa and Asia in the first half ofnext year, but said it was a niche product.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is the most widely used cellular phone system, enabling users to make calls.
``It's good news as it boosts Nokia's image,'' said a Stockholm-based analyst, pointing out that it would be the first such color device on the market. ``But it's still a niche product and an expensive one.''
Nokia gave no price but the 9210's predecessor was priced at around $720 retail.
The 244-gramme device -- which features a keyboard and has a high-resolution color-display -- combines a phone, fax, e-mail, calendar, imaging and video clip capacities, WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) and Internet services.
The 9210 Communicator, which builds on Nokia's current 9110i model, also supports the Java computer language and Symbian's (PON.L) EPOC operating system.
NO PERFECT HANDSET/ORGANIZER YET ON MARKET
Some analysts said that while Nokia had advanced with this product it was still a phone directed to a narrow market.
But Nokia's Windows-enabled 9210 device is likely to put pressure on rivals like Motorola Inc, the world's second largest mobile phone maker, and Sweden's Ericsson to come out with products featuring color displays.
It is likely to be a competitor to the color-display device Motorola says it's launching,'' said Mika Paloranta, telecoms equipment analyst at Helsinki brokerage ArosMaizels.
British Telecom's (BT.L) said last week it was discussing with handset makers including Germany's Siemens AG (SIEGn.DE) the launch of phones with color screens around mid-2001.
Nokia will also have to fend off U.S. handheld computer makers, like PalmInc. and Handspring Inc, which are branching into the lucrative but competitive mobile phone market and promising color display products.
But rivals also need to watch out for Nokia, which produces over two phones per second, because of its dominant global position and ability to ensure telecom operators back and promote their products over rivals.
Another challenge will be to convince customers they should buy theseall-in-one phones rather than wait for more advanced GPRS (General Packet Radio System) handsets expected in 2001. |
