09/05/2013 - Nokia unveils the touchscreen Asha 501 with new software platform, we go hands-on (video)
One or more additional members are expected to join Nokia's Lumia line-up next Tuesday, but today the company has chosen New Delhi as the stage to unveil the Asha 501, a new touchscreen handset that further blurs the line between featurephone and smartphone. While the last touchscreen Asha Nokia launched was very much a tweaked version of its predecessors, the 501 has a radically different design akin to the latest QWERTY device stamped with the Asha brand. The aesthetics aren't all that's changed, however, as the 501 is running a re-engineered OS Nokia's dubbed the "Asha software platform" (the fruits of last year's Smarterphone acquisition). We were able to spend a little quality time with the handset, so head past the break for more details and our initial impressions.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Nokia
08/05/2013 - Nokia teases 'colorful' announcement Thursday from New Delhi
Nokia already has one (likely Lumia 928-related) surprise scheduled for next week on the 14th, but it's doubling up by teasing more news Thursday in India. Scheduled for noon in New Delhi (2:30AM ET), all we have to go on are hints about "color", the yellow picture above and word that it's an "exciting global event." Executive VP of sales and marketing Chris Weber tweeted we should expect "Colorful Nokia news and so much more," but didn't reveal anything else. You have a little over 24 hours to wildly (or not so wildly, the location and timing suggests the Lumia brand won't be involved) speculate, let us know what you're thinking it could be in the comments below.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia
Source: Nokia Conversations
26/04/2013 - Nokia Asha 210, the first mobile with a WhatsApp button
Nokia is introducing Asha 210, a brand new social smartphone that is proud to be the first smartphone that has its own WhatsApp button. According to Nokia, it is described as the phone that allows you to "have your social life at your fingertips."22/04/2013 - Nokia teases QWERTY phone announcement on April 24th
Official teasers rarely provide much in the way of detail, but this one from Nokia at least comes with a pretty picture. It reveals the rounded design language we have come to associate with the company's latest feature phones, but with a Z and Shift keys that imply we're looking at a physical QWERTY handset rather than a candy bar -- potentially something along the lines of the Asha 205 we saw back in November. The picture was accompanied by a blog post confirming that this'll be a product from Nokia's Mobile Phones team rather than the folks behind Lumia, and that the announcement will happen at 7am GMT (3am ET) this Wednesday. The time zone is suggestive of an Asian or European launch, so it may or may not be worth setting your alarm clock.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia
Source: Nokia
27/03/2013 - Nokia Transit makes the commute over to Asha touchscreen phones, adds public transport info
Inviting beta testers, Nokia has brought its city navigation app, Transit, to its Asha touchscreen range. Like the Windows Phone and Symbian iterations, you'll be able to plan trips across multiple public transport routes, save particular journeys as well as research departure and arrival times. It's all crafted in those familiar rounded lines of previous S40 software and is also the first location app that Nokia has tested for its Asha range, which remain a lucrative component of the company's business. The app (currently in Nokia's Beta Labs) will work with Asha numbers 305 through 311, although the sleek lines of the Asha 310 are absent from the line-up at the moment.
Source: Nokia Beta Labs
25/02/2013 - We're live at the Nokia MWC press event!
Are you curious as to what mystery gadgets are hanging out in Stephen Elop's pocket right now? So are we, and thankfully we won't have to wait much longer to find out. The Nokia CEO is set to take the stage at MWC in just a few minutes to show off the latest and greatest mobile wares coming out of Finland, so sit down and join us as we bring you the announcements as they come.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
12/02/2013 - Nokia announces Asha 310, offers dual SIM and WiFi for a Benjamin
After being deemed smartphone worthy back in September last year, the S40 platform has just gained another member with the $102 Nokia Asha 310. The follow-up to the Asha 308 and 309, the latest handset rocks a 3-inch 400 x 240 capacitive touchscreen and touts support for a pair of SIMs along with WiFi -- the very first such device to come out of Espoo. Other specs include easy swap functionality, 128MB internal storage expandable up to 32GB, Nokia's Xpress Browser, a 2-megapixel camera and Nokia Maps navigation. Alas there's no 3G, but WiFi should at least come in handy to download the 40 free EA games on offer. No word on stateside availability just yet, but expect it to land in emerging markets in the Q1 of this year.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia
10/01/2013 - Nokia says Lumia smartphones did 'better than expected' last quarter, 4.4 million units sold
In the process of drawing up its quarterly results, Nokia has uncovered some good news to report. The manufacturer says its "Lumia portfolio delivered better than expected results" in Q4, selling 4.4 million units compared to just 2.9 million in Q3. The Asha series also did well, with 9.3 million units shifted. In the same breath, however, the company's accountants warn that Q1 of this year may not be so glowing, due to "seasonality and the competitive environment."
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Via: The Next Web
26/11/2012 - Hands-on with the Asha 205 and Nokia's Slam quick-sharing feature (video)
Feature phones don't grace our pages too often, but when Nokia said it had a new Asha to show us, we thought we'd go take a look. We've been following the Asha range since it launched a little more than a year ago, but we were also interested to see Nokia Slam in action, a new Bluetooth quick-sharing feature with Android compatibility. There were no touchscreens in sight as we were introduced to the Asha 205 -- a Series 40 QWERTY handset with a social angle aimed primarily at emerging markets, but also at those who either don't have the cash or the need for a top-of-the-range device. Bearing that in mind, we gave the phone a brief once over, looking at what it does for roughly $62 (excluding taxes, etc.), rather than what it lacks compared with smartphones at higher price points. During the meeting we also glanced over the Nokia 206, which shares many of the same features but isn't part of the Asha family due to its numpad input (see the video and gallery for more details). Head past the break for our thoughts on the Asha 205, and a demo of Nokia Slam in action.
Continue reading Hands-on with the Asha 205 and Nokia's Slam quick-sharing feature (video)
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia
27/09/2012 - Engadget visits Nokia House wrap-up: Stephen Elop Q&A, Lumia 920 camera tests and more
It's been a whirlwind week of all things Nokia for our Engadget crew here in Helsinki, Finland. With a (nearly) all access pass to the company's glass House in Espoo, we brought you a very candid, very live Q&A with CEO Stephen Elop -- recorded for posterity with the Lumia 920 -- as well as in-depth proofs of that handset's game-changing rear camera module. From side-by-side low light comparison shots with other leading smartphones to optical image stabilization tests and even a peek behind the Finnish outfit's R&D practices, we've got it all. So, if you haven't had time to catch up with this flurry of pre-launch news from behind the velvet rope, now's your chance. Just click on past the break for the full recap.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile
Engadget visits Nokia House wrap-up: Stephen Elop Q&A, Lumia 920 camera tests and more originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
image/jpeg
25/09/2012 - Visualized: Nokia's Asha 308, 309 in-house lunchtime launch
Typically, when OEMs launch the next generation of their mobile wares, we're treated to painstakingly choreographed industry parties (that we chronicle in great detail). In fact, we can think of a recent one in particular that saw several tech journos corralled into a blue-hued freight elevator and then let loose on three levels of demos. Well, if you thought new product excitement began and ended with select press events or that executive-level enthusiasm was all just a by-product of intense media training, think again. As you can see from the image above, lunch time at Nokia's glass-walled HQ saw a crowd of curious employees noshing on the assortment of cafeteria delights while also sampling the newly announced Asha 308 and 309. It's that company-wide, inside-out passion for all things Nokia we've seen evidence of again and again throughout our time in Espoo. And because of that, we feel justified in saying there's clearly something in the Finnish water.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile
Visualized: Nokia's Asha 308, 309 in-house lunchtime launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
image/jpeg
25/09/2012 - Hands-on with Nokia's Asha 308 and 309 (video)
They're not the most compelling of devices, but for smartphone first timers, they should do just fine. Officially announced today, Nokia's updating the Asha Touch line with the 308 and 309 -- two new members of the Series 40 family that've moved past the feature phone designation and into smartphone territory. Priced at an affordable $99 (off-contract), this dual- and single-SIM pair are near identical with 3-inch WQVGA displays, 2GB of microSD storage (expandable to 32GB) and a 1,110mAh battery. We just happened to be onsite at the company's HQ in Espoo for the reveal of the diminutive devices, so follow on after the break for our first impressions.
Continue reading Hands-on with Nokia's Asha 308 and 309 (video)
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Hands-on with Nokia's Asha 308 and 309 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
image/jpeg
25/09/2012 - Nokia outs Asha 308 and 309, deems Series 40 smartphone-worthy
You don't hear much about Nokia's Asha Touch line, what with the industry spotlight focused tightly on quad-core processors, 720p displays and state-of-the-art optics. But with today's launch of the Asha 308 and 309, the smartphone genre's gaining two new members -- a classification recently bestowed on the budget-priced handsets by market research firms GfK and IDC. Positioned by Espoo as the go-to devices for those uninitiated in the ways of the mobile web, this pair of capacitive 3-inchers run the same Series 40 OS and even share the same specs: 800MHz processor, WQVGA resolution, 1,110mAh battery, 20MB internal storage plus included 2GB microSD (expandable to 32GB), 2-megapixel rear camera and EDGE connectivity. Where they differ is in the 308's additional support for GSM/EDGE 850, 1900MHz bands and Easy Swap dual SIM accommodation. Apart from that, both come loaded up with a newer version of the company's Xpress browser that allows for up to 90% compression, Nokia Nearby for local search, and the same swipe-based UI seen on the gone-but-not-forgotten N9. The phones are set to ship by year-end with a modest $99 off contract pricing in the emerging market space. Check after the break for the official presser and preview videos.
Continue reading Nokia outs Asha 308 and 309, deems Series 40 smartphone-worthy
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile
Nokia outs Asha 308 and 309, deems Series 40 smartphone-worthy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
image/jpeg
06/07/2012 - Nokia and Namco Bandai bring arcade classics to Asha Touch line
Whoever said low-cost phones have to miss out on the portable perks? Nokia's throwing an old school bone to buyers of its budget-minded Asha Touch line, linking up with Namco Bandai to make 22 classic hits available for download. The titles, accessible now on the Nokia Store in over 52 countries, range from $0.99 to $2.99 apiece and include oldies-but-goodies like SoulCalibur, Galaga and Ace Combat. So, if you take your pared-down, 3-inch devices with a dash of retro-gaming and feel like an on-the-go session with PAC-MAN is long overdue, then you'll be well sated by this partnership nod to coin-operated gaming's past. Official PR after the break.
Continue reading Nokia and Namco Bandai bring arcade classics to Asha Touch line
Nokia and Namco Bandai bring arcade classics to Asha Touch line originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
image/jpeg
15/06/2012 - Nokia reportedly scraps Meltemi, decides it's Series 40 or bust in basic phones
O Meltemi, we hardly knew ye. In fact, we didn't know ye much at all, since Nokia never made the OS official. Nonetheless, claimed insiders have told AllThingsD that the reputed Linux-running alternative to S30 and S40 won't ever see the light of day. Nokia's deep structural cuts are to blame, and we imagine Nokia's previous drive to whittle down its OS portfolio will have come into play. CEO Stephen Elop and other executives never directly acknowledged Meltemi's existence during the cutback-related conference call, although Elop did admit that some projects were screeching to a halt behind the scenes -- possibly the closest Espoo will come to saying that the platform was ever real. Sad, to be sure, but between the new Asha Touch line and ever-cheaper Lumia models, we're not too worried about whether or not Nokia has the low end covered.
Nokia reportedly scraps Meltemi, decides it's Series 40 or bust in basic phones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |
AllThingsD | Email this | Comments
image/jpeg
13/06/2012 - Nokia Launches Three New Phones: Asha 305, Asha 306 and Asha 311
Nokia expands its Asha range with three new models: Nokia Asha 305, Nokia Asha 306 and Nokia Asha 311, phones with touchscreen that try to get closer as much as possible of the smartphone experience, while keeping a price as low as possible.06/06/2012 - Nokia introduces Asha Touch range of keypad-free feature phones (video)
Nokia first rolled out its Asha line of feature phones last October, and now it's rolling out the new devices with touchscreen interfaces that we saw leaked manuals for recently. The Asha Touch device range includes the Asha 305, Asha 306 and Asha 311 phones that all have 3-inch screens and run the Asha Touch UI. They all also pack the Nokia Browser 2.0 and free games from EA. The 305 and 306 are WQVGA resistive touch screen devices, with 2MP cameras and GPRS/EDGE connectivity, while the 305 brings Nokia's Easy Swap dual-SIM capability to bear and the 306 features WiFi. The 311 has a capacitive glass screen, HSPA modem, 1GHz CPU and 3.2MP camera. The Asha 305 is supposed to ship in Q2 for about $85 US, while the 306 and 311 are due in the third quarter for $93 and $121, respectively. Check the press release and videos after the break for a closer look at the phones and details on local availability.
Continue reading Nokia introduces Asha Touch range of keypad-free feature phones (video)
Nokia introduces Asha Touch range of keypad-free feature phones (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 02:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |Nokia Conversations | Email this | Comments
image/jpeg
24/04/2012 - Nokia releases Browser 2.0 update for Series 40 handsets with improved speed, multitasking in tow
Nokia announced earlier today the release of Browser 2.0 for its Series 40 devices, which of course includes the colorful Asha lineup. The update promises an overall speedier and easier browsing experience, this in large part due to the application condensing data by up to 90 percent. In addition to these enhancements, there's also a novel Download Manager in the refresh, giving users the ability to choose where they'd like to save content without leaving the app. Also included in the update is a new multitasking-while-browsing feature (finally!), as well as a social-sharing bit that lets you push out page URLs to sites like Twitter, Facebook, Sina Weibo and RenRen. Browser 2.0 will be native on future Series 40s, but for now those whom already own a small chunk of the 150 billion can grab the goods from the Nokia Store or wait for the OTA package to hit your device.
Nokia releases Browser 2.0 update for Series 40 handsets with improved speed, multitasking in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink
MobileBurn | Nokia | Email this | Comments
image/jpeg
09/04/2012 - Nokia 306 manual hints at keyboard-free Asha handset
Nokia 306 manual hints at keyboard-free Asha handset originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
PermalinkUnwired View | 306 Manual (PDF) | Email this | Comments
image/jpeg
12/03/2012 - Nokia's extreme dieting continues as it kills off Nokia Money
Nokia's extreme dieting continues as it kills off Nokia Money originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |Reuters | Email this | Comments
image/jpeg
27/02/2012 - MWC 2012: Nokia Launches New Handsets and Services
Nokia announced a new range of products, services and partnerships at Mobile World Congress. Stephen Elop, President and CEO of Nokia, presented the fourth terminal Lumia, smarter mobile phones and a new range of services.27/10/2011 - Nokia Launches Its First Windows Phone 7 Smartphones
Nokia has launched, on Wednesday, at Nokia World event held in London, its first smartphones running Windows Phone 7 Mango, Nokia Lumia 800 and 710, phones that did not make a splash whatsoever.
