Sad truth about the excitement over the Nokia 3310

Sad truth about the excitement over the Nokia 3310

'It's a damning indictment of the state of the smartphone market that the world is so excited and obsessed with a retro feature phone that shipped 17 years ago' – Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight. Photograph: Martin Landi/PA

Mobile World Congress – the showcase of the most cutting-edge technology on the planet – is in full swing in Barcelona this week. Phones, wearables and everything else with a microchip is showing off fantastic new features. But all anyone really seems interested in is a remake of a phone from 17 years ago, the Nokia 3310.

There are a few ways to look at the Nokia 3310. It could just be a marketing ploy, or a Hollywood-esque remake because the industry has run out of ideas. Or maybe it's trying to tap into the feeling that modern life is too connected, harking back to a simpler time. But whatever you think the Nokia 3310 is, it tells us something interesting about the state of the smartphone industry in 2017.

"It's an absolutely damning indictment of the state of the smartphone market that the world is so excited and obsessed with a retro feature phone that shipped 17 years ago," said Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight.

The Nokia 3310 mobile phone is back.

He's right. Launched in the centre of what should be the most exciting technology fair on the planet, a so-called dumbphone, or more kindly a "feature phone", is all anyone's interested in. And the truth is the new Nokia 3310 isn't actually anything special. Nokia dumbphones just like it have been made for years – take the Nokia 105, which has even been made by three separate companies: first Nokia outright, then Microsoft when it bought Nokia phones, and now HMD Global, the firm that has licensed the Nokia brand name.

If HMD had simply pushed out what we now know as the new 3310 as the new Nokia 230, would anyone have batted an eyelid? But with the right brand name and model number, HMD has reinvigorated a classic that has the developed world buzzing.

So why does a nostalgia trip like the 3310 take the spotlight when Sony launched a phone with a 4K HDR screen, LG's G6 is "made for split-screen apps", Huawei's P10 has a fancy Leica dual-camera setup, and there's even a new BlackBerry with a keyboard and everything?

Perhaps it's because smartphones are boring now. It's not because they aren't marvellous machines that have become central to our lives, but they're all much of a muchness. One smartphone is the same as the next. It has a camera, a screen, it plays music, runs apps and games, shoves the internet in the palm of your hand and forms a conduit for all your life to flow through. But if you broke it and bought a new one, it would do more or less exactly the same, perhaps in a dazzling new colour.

Sony launched a phone with a 4K HDR screen, the Xperia XZ Premium, at MWC. Did anyone notice? Photograph: Alberto Estevez/EPA.

It's not only that smartphone manufacturers are struggling to differentiate between each other, it's also that each iteration of a Sony, an Apple, a Huawei or a Samsung smartphone looks pretty much the same as the last one.

Francisco Jeronimo, research director for European mobile devices at research firm IDC, said: "We've got to a point where improving phones by creating megapixel increases in the camera or improvements in the screen is a lot harder than it was five years ago."

The big leaps in technological advancement are mostly behind us. There is only so much you can do to a smartphone that already does it all.

Jeronimo explains: "We've got to such quality in the devices that we've started hitting the physical limits, which means most of the innovation going forwards is likely to be in software, voice, your interaction with the phone and its services, to make the smartphone much smarter than it is today."

The one primary feature left open for obvious innovation is within screen design, and that's where the envelope is being pushed this year. The holy grail of an all-screen phone will be the biggest change in design since the phablet came along.

According to Jeronimo and others talking behind the scenes at MWC, including people talking privately to the Guardian, Samsung's Galaxy S8 with its new "infinity display" is likely to represent the biggest change in phone hardware design in the last three years.

But even the all-screen sci-fi dream may not be enough. People will buy new phones in their millions, of course, but they're not going to be excited about their third, fourth or fifth smartphone that looks just like the old one.

Once manufacturers have completed their bezel-less transformations, where do you go with a phone that's already all-screen? Bendable, fold-out or roll up phones, perhaps, or will the next big leap be holographic?

In the meantime Amazon, Google and many others are betting on voice. But voice assistants in their most advanced forms are less of a smartphone feature and more of a technology delivered by the smartphone.

So perhaps that's it for major smartphone innovation. Maybe they're destined to be relegated to commodity items. The new PC for the post-PC era; the beige box for the 21st century.

Nokia 3310 stole Samsung's show at MWC 2017

Nokia 3310 stole Samsung's show at MWC 2017

The immediate impact on Samsung in particular is obvious. In previous years, the crowds at the company's booth were larger at least to our eyes than they were this year. That may be because the company's two tablet announcements at the show were not especially exciting. Samsung itself seemed keenly aware of how uninspired its new products were, frequently referring to its "upcoming smartphone" during its tablet press event and even ending the keynote with an official launch date for the Galaxy S8.

On the other hand Nokia via current brand owners HMD delighted fans by unveiling the revived 3310. Although we had already heard rumors about the old-school device making a comeback, it was still exciting to get our hands on the actual handset. There's something about picking up the new version that transports you to a simpler time, and that feeling is perhaps what drew the crowds that mobbed the company's booth on the convention floor. Plus, Nokia still clearly has hordes of loyal fans that wanted to see this happen.

Whether it's nostalgia, curiosity or simply the need to find something cool to post to Instagram, something is driving people to the Nokia 3310. And since the phone will cost just €49 when it arrives in the second quarter of the year, it's extremely possible, given the hype here at the show, that the handsets will sell out the day they're available.

Enjoy the Return of our lovely Nokia 3310

Nokia 8 Specs leaked; Expected to be uncovered at MWC 2017

After HMD unveiled its Nokia 6 handset, HMD is preparing to unveiled Nokia 8 on 26th of February at the MWC 2017. But unexpectedly, Nokia 8 specs leaked online.

According to the leak news of Nokia 8, this handset will be powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 835 chipset with 5.7-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display and 2560 x 1440 (QHD) resolutions. it's a flat Super AMOLED screen, not a dual-edge curved display.

Up to 80% Off on Electronic Accessories Up to 80% Off on Electronic Accessories

Other specs that leaked about the phone is the 24-megapixel rear-facing camera with OIS (optical image stabilization) and Super EIS. The front camera will be of the 12-megapixel camera for selfies and video calls.

There will be two variants of the Nokia 8 one is of 64GB and other is 128GB with microSD card; expansion up to 256GB. Other features in Nokia 8 will include dual front-facing speakers, Android 7.0 nougat, led notification light, and fingerprint sensor.

This Nokia 8 is appearing much better as compare to Nokia 6. We will be hoping a good Smartphone from Nokia this time. These specifications are not confirmed yet but it seems that this Nokia 8 will rock in MWC 2017.

Source

Advertisement

Nokia Returns With China-Exclusive Android Smartphone

The Nokia 6 will be available soon for rouhgly $245, but only on JD.com.

Nokia is returning to the handset market with an Android phone that will launch first in China.

The Nokia 6, boasting an aluminum unibody and 5.5-inch HD screen, is the first in a new range of Android-powered phones and tablets expected this year.

In 2014, Nokia sold its handset business to Microsoft, which, in turn, sold its feature phone division to a subsidiary of Foxconn and a newly formed Finnish firm, HMD, for $350 million. As part of the deal, Nokia receives royalty payments from HMD for sales of every branded phone and tablet over the next decade.

"From the outset we have stated that we intended to move with speed to establish a position as a player in the smartphone category and create products that truly meet consumer needs," HMD CEO Arto Nummela said in a statement. "The Nokia 6 is a result of listening to our consumers who desire a beautifully crafted handset with exceptional durability, entertainment and display features."

That includes the latest-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, with X6 LTE modem, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage, running on the latest version of Android Nougat. The phone also features dual amplifiers, a 16-megapixel rear camera, and a 8-megapixel front shooter.

The Nokia 6 is expected to launch in "early 2017," exclusively in China; local consumers can look for the smartphone online at JD.com, available soon for 1,699 Chinese yuan ($245).

"China is the largest and most competitive smartphone market in the world," according to Nestor Xu, HMD vice president of Greater China. "It is no coincidence that we have chosen to bring our first Android device to China with a long-term partner."

Nokia's phone website, operated by HMD, highlights the Nokia 6 and Nokia 150, a candybar phone announced in December and rolling out first in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

"We look forward to unveiling further products in the first half of this year," Nummela teased.

Nokia appears to be working on its own AI assistant

Not surprisingly, the company isn't revealing much. "Nokia registers trademarks from time to time," a spokesperson tells us, "but we don't comment on how, whether or when they may be used for Nokia products or services." And it's important to remember that companies sometimes register trademarks as safeguards. They may not intend to make a product, but they don't want someone else taking their naming scheme.

You definitely can't assume that an assistant will show up in Nokia-branded smartphones. HMD Global may have the Nokia name under its belt, but that doesn't mean that it's working in concert with the original Finnish company. If Viki ever reaches the public, it could just as easily be shopped around to any smartphone maker or internet service that wants an AI solution.

Nokia 6 Mid-Range Android Smartphone Now Official, Coming to China Soon

HMD Global, in a surprise move, announced the very first new smartphone this weekend, dubbed the Nokia 6. We were earlier expecting the first Nokia-branded smartphones to be announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. However, most of you will be disappointed to learn that the Nokia 6 is likely to be exclusive to JD.com in China.

The smartphone is made out of 6000 series aluminum and features a premium design that is quite impressive for a mid-range handset. As you can see in the official render, the handset includes a physical home button on the front, which also houses a fingerprint scanner. It features a 5.5-inch 1080 x 1920 Full HD resolution, with 2.5D glass on top. The chipset powering the Nokia 6 is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 430 SoC, which is an octa-core chipset with the Adreno 505 GPU. While the choice of SoC isn't commendable, the Nokia 6 does come with impressive 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard memory.

The Nokia 6 comes with a 16MP camera at the back, with an f/2.0 aperture lens, phase detection autofocus, and a dual-tone LED flash. For selfies, the handset features an 8MP primary camera with an f/2.0 aperture lens. For a superior audio experience, HMD has equipped the Nokia 6 with Dolby Atmos technology as well as dual amplifiers. Not much has been revealed about the software though.

HMD Global says the Nokia 6 will be going on sale in China "soon" via JD.com, a leading Chinese online retailer for 1699 CNY ($245). Unfortunately, the company did not say if it plans to release the Nokia 6 in other markets, so it might end up being a China-exclusive model. The first global Nokia-branded handsets will be unveiled at MWC 2017 next month in Barcelona. We expect to see a wide portfolio from HMD this year, ranging from affordable entry-level Android smartphones to flagship smartphones powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 octa-core chipset. A few Android tablets are likely to be released as well, although no leaks have surfaced yet.

What are your thoughts on Nokia's comeback Android smartphone?

Budget Nokia E1 Android Phone Specifications, Price And Leaks

Nokia E1 Specifications, Price & Leaks: HMD Global the company with exclusive rights to the Brand Nokia launched the first ever Nokia Android Smartphone. This is called the Nokia E1.  This Nokia Smartphones saw the return to the market this time with the Android OS. It was however speculated that the company will show up the Nokia smartphones this year. This Nokia E1 Android Phone was launched only for the country of China and tipped to run Android Nougat Out of the Box. This is speculated to come with a 5.5 inches FHD with 2.5D Gorilla Glass. It would be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 SoC coupled with Adreno 308 GPU. It has a 3GB RAM with 64 GB inbuilt storage. The Nokia E1 sports a 3000mAh non-removable battery and is roughly priced at Rs. 16750. The phone would supposedly be available this year.

Budget Nokia E1 Android Phone Specifications, Price And Leaks " class="size-full wp-image-101602" alt="Nokia E1" width="500" height="379" srcset="http://fitnhit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/nokia.jpg 594w, http://fitnhit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/nokia-300x191.jpg 300w, http://fitnhit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/nokia-230x147.jpg 230w" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px">

Nokia E1

There would be around six to seven of such Nokia Models to feature in this year 2017 as per some reports. These would include low – range, mid – range as well as the high – end technology use smartphones. The screens of these Nokia smartphones would differ from each other. They would start with a 5 inches display till a 7 inches display. It is expected that the first Nokia Smartphone to sport Android software will display early in February at the Mobile World Congress.

These Nokia Smartphones images leaked also contained its sketches. Now the leaks are giving out the Nokia smartphones details. NokiaPowerUser reports that these Nokia budget phones will also sport 5.2" /5.3" front facing display with 720×1280 pixels screen resolutions. This Nokia E1 is leaked to feature a 13 MP rear or main camera. It would afront-facing5 MP camera for capturing selfies.

Various other sources report that this Nokia E1 may not feature an expandable storage via Micro-SD Card Slot. Some reports speculate this is the same model that featured as Nokia TA-1000. There are some Nokia E1 specifications as per the leaks. This Nokia Android would get stiff competition in terms of pricing with brands like the Xaiomi, OnePlus & Apple.

CES 2017: Nokia Android phone spurns the West

Image copyright Nokia Image caption The Nokia 6 is the first Android smartphone to bear the brand

The first Nokia-branded smartphone is to be released exclusively in China.

The device will be marketed in partnership with the local internet retail giant JD.com.

The team behind the Nokia 6 phone said it believed the handset's "premium design" would appeal to the local market.

The announcement coincided with the final day of the CES tech show in Las Vegas, where other new mobile phones and gadgets have been launched.

Nokia no longer manufactures phones that carry its name but has instead licensed its brand to another Finnish company, HMD Global.

Until now, the only phones that had been released under the deal had been more basic "feature phone" models.

Image copyright HMD Global Image caption HMD Global may wait to unveil details of Android smartphones for other markets until next month in Barcelona

The Android device had been highly anticipated and marks Nokia's return to the smartphone market after a series of Windows Phone models. Microsoft briefly used the brand for about a year after buying Nokia's mobile devices unit in 2014.

Nokia once dominated the mobile phone market but struggled after the launch of the iPhone a decade ago, and the subsequent release of Google's Android operating system.

HMD Global had previously indicated it would release several Nokia-branded Android phones in 2017.

It is expected to provide details of at least some of the other launches at another trade show - Barcelona's Mobile World Congress - in February.

"The decision by HMD to launch its first Android smartphone into China is a reflection of the desire to meet the real world needs of consumers in different markets around the world," the firm said in a statement.

"With over 552 million smartphone users in China in 2016, a figure that is predicted to g row to more than 593 million users by 2017, it is a strategically important market where premium design and quality is highly valued by consumers."

Image copyright HMD Global Image caption HMD Gobal sells feature phones, including the Nokia 150, in other parts of the world

The Nokia 6 phone runs Android 7.0 - the latest version, also known as Nougat - and features:

a 5.5in 1080p "full high definition" screen

a 16 megapixel rear camera

four gigabyte of RAM memory and 64GB of storage

two amplifiers supported by Dolby Atmos audio processing, which HMD says creates audio that "seems to flow all around users"

The specifications are mid-range, and so is the price: 1,699 yuan ($245; £200).

That makes it slightly more expensive than Huawei's Honor 6X but cheaper than Xiaomi's Mi 5s.

"Nokia remains one of the most recognised mobile phone brands on the planet," commented Ben Wood from the CCS Insight technology consultancy.

"HMD Global will be hoping it can capitalise on this as it seeks to relaunch Nokia devices in 2017.

"It will be hoping the brand will help it stand out in the incredibly crowded Android smartphone market, which is characterised by cut-throat competition and a sea of design sameness. "

Follow all our CES coverage at bbc.co.uk/ces2017