Nokia Bets On New Smartphones
September 7th, 2010 | by Mobile Data Group |Nokia, the world’s biggest mobile maker by volume, will introduce new smartphone models next week at its annual media and industry event, aiming to assure investors the company is on track to recovery.
Nokia, whose profits and share price have dived in the last few years, is now betting on the renewal of its line of smartphones, which could save the career of embattled chief executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo.
The mobile maker will unveil its new flagship model E7, which comes with a large touchscreen and full keyboard, at the show in London, two sources with direct knowledge of Nokia’s plans told Reuters.
Nokia will also introduce to the public its new N8 model, which is the first phone to use the new Symbian 3 software, along with other new smartphones, the sources said.
The N8 – unveiled in April and due to go on sale later this month – stands out among its rivals for its 12 megapixel camera but has a slower processor than Samsung’s top model Galaxy S and the latest iPhone.
“As the N8 starts shipping and other devices are unveiled, Nokia will be hoping that it can lay the foundation stones for its recovery given the onslaught of competitive products currently hitting the market,” said Ben Wood, director of research at CCS Insight.
“It has made some big commitments on fixing Symbian and its first flagship product using the refreshed Symbian operating system. Failure is not an option,” Wood said.
Nokia’s Symbian operating system has yet to attract a large number of software developers interested in creating compatible applications, a key selling point for high-end mobiles.