- Nokia used the word "apparel" for phones already back in
93-4, which now is proven correct through the consumer
response on the Nokia models.
This to me is a key point in understanding what makes Nokia unique. Back in the mid-90's I read an interview with Jorma O'llila in which he said that Motorola and Ericsson were the technology leaders/innovators in the wireless industry. Nokia, he said, was the best, however, at taking the available technology of the day and providing to consumers in the form they want. His assertion is even more relevant today. I'm not surprised at Motorola's decline in the mobile phone market, but I am a little surprised at Ericsson's. As recently as 1997, Ericsson had more than 70% market share in digital handsets. The Swedes have a great cultural design tradition, like the Finns, and I'm surprised that the Swedish design aesthetic hasn't shown itself in phone design. When I was growing up, many of my friends loved the design of Swedish stereo equipment, like Bang & Olufsson, and their families had furniture of designed by Swedish craftsmen, etc. The Finns have the Swedes beaten in architecture, though. |
