14 DAY TRIAL // Finland-based mobile phone maker Nokia has had some difficult times lately on the handset market. Although the manufacturer is still the leading company in the area, it started losing market share in various countries and segments, including the high-end smartphone area, where the fiercest battles for supremacy are fought at the moment. However, it seems that things might be turning for the better with a new Head of Nokia Mobile Solutions, in the person of Anssi Vanjoki.
Anssi took the lead of Nokia's Mobile Solutions on July 1, and shared a few thoughts on the company's focus for the near future. According to him, Nokia has all the chances to remain a leader on the mobile phone market, and advancing the current projects, as well as working on the simplification of the work would be some of the first steps the company takes in this direction. Faster time to market and better quality were promised both for devices and services.
“I am committed, perhaps even obsessed, with getting Nokia back to being number one in high-end devices. Achieving this will require performance and efforts over and above the norm. This is a role I’ve personally been preparing for over the last 20 years. We have all the assets — including R&D and product development – at our disposal under one roof – to produce killer smartphones and market-changing mobile computers,” Anssi Vanjoki stated.
As for what to expect from Nokia to bring to the market, we should count the first Symbian^3 phone from the company, the Nokia N8, which is set to impress a lot of people, it seems. Moreover, the company is committed to launch its first device running under the MeeGo platform. Interestingly enough, it seems that the company's high-end N Series won't be powered exclusively by MeeGo.
“Symbian and MeeGo are the best software for our smartest devices. As such, we have no plans to use any other software. Despite rumors to the contrary, there are no plans to introduce an Android device from Nokia. There has also been some confusion about Symbian and Nseries. The Nokia N8 will be our only Nseries device on Symbian^3. Of course, we ‘never comment on future products’, but a Symbian^4 Nseries device is a strong possibility,” Anssi unveils.
Even if the Symbian platform has lost market share lately, and there are many voices criticizing it, it seems that it would remain Nokia's platform of choice. The platform still accounts for the largest number of smartphones on the market at the moment, and Nokia N8 with its Symbian^3 should prove that it still has the means to attract users. Symbian should prove a great competitor against Android and iPhone, while MeeGo would open the gates to the development of more devices.
“The current phase of MeeGo development is looking awesome. We believe it will power the computers of the future. And the computers of the future will not be tied to a desk or even a lap – they will fit in your pocket. […] Together, Symbian and MeeGo will form the backbone of our Mobile Solutions unit. This unit contains all the assets it requires to develop and deliver inspiring and game-changing products,” the Head of Nokia Mobile Solutions added.