This is a big step for Nokia. Navteq was an expensive takeover (EUR 5.7 billion, announced in October 2007) and now the company is deciding to give the content away free. It looks like Nokia is realising that this is the only way for its services platform Ovi to catch on. However, another take is possible. Nokia is copying Google’s strategy, which centres on Google Maps Navigation announced last October. Google gives applications like this away free in order to place more advertising, and Nokia is hoping to do the same thing to drive sales of its smartphones. Smartphones are currently Nokia’s main source of worry, as the handset maker struggles to keep up with the likes of Apple and RIM.

The big losers from Nokia’s decision are clearly TomTom and Garmin, the main manufacturers of personal navigation devices. TomTom’s share price fell as much as 18 percent the day of the announcement from Nokia. Since Google Maps Navigation launched, the share price has roughly halved.

The question is whether Nokia’s strategy can be successful. The trend is increasingly towards personalisation, where customers can use open platforms and applications to meet their individual needs. Whoever wants to use Ovi Maps needs to buy a Nokia smartphone. While this should do sales some good, the question is why is Nokia choosing this model, instead of the currently more usual mode of (paid) applications for rival platforms, such as Android (Google) and the iPhone (Apple).

By offering free Ovi Maps and navigation, Nokia hopes to make the most of its advantages of content and reach. The navigation software is available for 74 countries, traffic information for more than ten countries and maps for around 180 countries. Google Maps Navigation is still restricted to the US. Nokia also clearly has a major market presence and distribution strength, even if its share of the smartphone market fell in the third quarter of 2009 to 35 percent from 41 percent. There are already 83 million Nokisa users who can use the navigation software. In addition to stimulating Nokia smartphone sales, the free Ovi Maps should pay off for operators in increased data use. Nokia was keen to point out how the network costs are just a tenth of what’s required for using Google Maps, as Ovi Maps can also be used offline once a map is stored in the memory, and because the technology used (vector mapping, combined with earlier saved maps) is more efficient than Google’s system (bitmap technology, which requires continuous downloads).

In short, the big question is which model will win the navigation market. Will it be the free service bundled with a Nokia smartphone, a free service bundled with an Android handset or a paid service on any ‘open’ smartphone?  More…

The new Nokia N900: Computer-grade performance in a handset Espoo, Finland –

Nokia today marked the next phase in the evolution of Maemo software with the new Nokia N900. Taking its cues from the world of desktop computing, the open source, Linux-based Maemo software delivers a PC-like experience on a handset-sized device.

The Nokia N900 has evolved from Nokia’s previous generation of Internet Tablets and broadens the choice for technology enthusiasts who appreciate the ability to multitask and browse the internet like they would on their desktop computer.

Running on the new Maemo 5 software, the Nokia N900 empowers users to have dozens of application windows open and running simultaneously while taking full advantage of the cellular features, touch screen and QWERTY keyboard.

“With Linux software, Mozilla-based browser technology and now also with cellular connectivity, the Nokia N900 delivers a powerful mobile experience,” says Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Markets, Nokia. “The Nokia N900 shows where we are going with Maemo and we’ll continue to work with the community to push

the software forward. What we have with Maemo is something that is fusing the power of the computer, the internet and the mobile phone, and it is great to see that it is evolving in exciting ways.” Designed for computer-grade performance in a compact size, Maemo complements Nokia’s other software platforms, such as Symbian, which powers Nokia’s smartphones.

“Just as Nokia continues to expand and diversify its device portfolio, so it is deploying multiple platforms to allow it to serve different purposes and address different markets. While we have seen continued growth in Symbian as a smartphone platform, Maemo enables Nokia to deliver new mobile computing experiences

based on open-source technology that has strong ties with desktop platforms,” says Jonathan Arber, Senior Research Analyst in Consumer Mobile at IDC.

More multitasking with Maemo

The Nokia N900 packs a powerful ARM Cortex-A8 processor, up to 1GB of application memory and OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics acceleration. The result is PC-like multitasking, allowing many applications to run simultaneously. Switching between applications is simple, as all running content is constantly available through the dashboard. The panoramic homescreen can be fully personalized with favorite shortcuts, widgets and applications. To make web browsing more enjoyable, the Nokia N900 features a high-resolution WVGA touch screen and fast internet connectivity with 10/2 HSPA and WLAN. Thanks to the browser powered by Mozilla technology, websites look the way they would on any computer. Online videos and interactive applications are vivid with full Adobe Flash™ 9.4 support. Maemo software updates happen automatically over the internet. Messaging on the N900 is easy and convenient thanks to the full physical slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Setting

up email happens with only a few touches and the Nokia Messaging service mobilizes up to 10 personal email accounts. Text message or IM exchanges with friends are shown in one view and all conversations are organized as separate windows.

The Nokia N900 has 32GB of storage, which is expandable up to 48GB via a microSD card. For photography, the  Maemo software and the N900 come with a new tag cloud user interface that will help users get the most out of the 5MP camera and Carl Zeiss optics. The Nokia N900 will be available in select markets from October 2009 with an estimated retail price of EUR 500 excluding sales taxes and subsidies. The Nokia N900 will be displayed at Nokia World, Stuttgart, on

September 2.  More information on Maemo is available at http://maemo.nokia.com.

About Nokia

Nokia is a pioneer in mobile telecommunications and the world’s leading maker of mobile devices. Today, we are connecting people in new and different ways – fusing advanced mobile technology with personalized services to enable people to stay close to what matters to them. We also provide comprehensive digital map information through NAVTEQ; and equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks.

The dual-slide handset sports a 2.8in display, 16GB of internal memory that can be further expanded with an optional Micro SDHC card – like the new Nokia 8GB Micro SDHC card.

N96: Nokia says it’s more of a “multimedia computer” than a mobile

The N96 also offers a DVB-H TV tuner for live TV broadcasting in select markets and it supports most common video formats including MPEG 4, Windows Media Video and Flash Video. And the handset features a “kickstand” on the back that allows the device to stand alone for hands-free viewing.

Hands-free viewing

It also features media keys, a 3.5mm headphone connector and built-in 3D stereo speakers plus the Nokia Maps application with Assisted GPS, a five-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, flash and video light and video capture. It has Wi-Fi and HSDPA connectivity. More..

The N96 is expected to begin shipping in the third quarter of 2008 with an estimated pre-tax sales price of approximately €550.

According to Nokia, the “novelty” features of the N78 include the geographical tagging of photos and an integrated FM transmitter that allows music to be played on any FM radio, in a car or at home.

The N78 is expected to be available during the second quarter of this year, with an estimated pre-tax retail price of around €350

Nokia N98 has been sighted on the net and will be released really soon according to Nokia France specification sheet. Despite it’s earlier claims that iPhone is no threat to lucrative NSeries smartphone multimedia computer business, Nokia was really frightened by it and started scrambling for an answer literary the next day. Result of that is new Nokia N98 who really looks like Apple iPhone, but when you look at specifications there is huge advantage over iPhone. So we might look at new mobile phone war in which only consumer can benefit by better products and new technologies.

Nokia N98 specifications:

* 7.2 mega pixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens
  * Optical zoom x5 and digital zoom x20
  * 3.5 inch VGA 16 million color touch screen
  * GPS
  * Symbian S70 3rd edition (now that would be something)
  * Graphics accelerator
  * Bluetooth/WIFI b+g+n/HSDPA

Nokia N98 France image and datasheet

Source

- Stunning 2.0″ QVGA 240×320 pixels, OLED display with up to 16 million colors

- 3.2 megapixel auto focus camera with 8x digital zoom

- 3G capabilities

- 1 GB built in memory space

- MicroUSB all-in-one-connector

- Anti-fingerprint coating on metal and glass

Both the Nokia 8800 Arte and Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte feature a high-end metal and glass composition, creating their classic, iconic style. A smooth slide mechanism – comprised of state-of-the art ball bearings and a unique spring mechanism – ensures each handset is a pleasure to touch and behold. The Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte adds to the sense of exclusivity by further enhancing its polished steel case with a genuine sapphire gem stone and an accent of soft leather, creating an even more rich, sensual feel. More…

The Nokia N95, the world’s greatest multimedia computer, just got greater. With all the key features of its predecessor, including a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, built-in A-GPS, WLAN, HSDPA and an innovative 2-way slide, the Nokia N95 8GB now offers up to eight gigabytes of built-in memory. The N95 8GB also boasts a new luminous 2.8″ QVGA display – one of the largest ever for a multimedia computer – so that watching videos, browsing the Internet or viewing maps is easy. With its expanded memory, the N95 8GB offers up to 20 hours of video* or up to 6000 songs**. The N95 8GB multimedia computer is expected to begin shipping in the fourth quarter of 2007 with an estimated retail price of EUR 560 before subsidies or taxes.

Nokia today announced a new 3G mobile phone that pairs original design and quality workmanship with outstanding features. The Nokia 6555 meets the desire for aesthetic appeal with an external analog clock echoing the timeless elegance of high-end luxury. The Nokia 6555 is the first WCDMA phone with a smooth-back fold design with recessed hinge creating a seamless line when open. The phone’s gentle curve ensures a smooth and ergonomic user experience. The Nokia 6555 is an accessible option for discerning consumers. More…

Key features of Nokia 6555:

- Original smooth-back design

- Elegant external analog timepiece display

- Brilliant 16 million color display

- Video sharing

- WCDMA and quadband GSM functionality

- Video sharing

- 6x zoom camera

- 30MB internal memory

- microSD card slot

- Bluetooth