Nokia develops self-charging cellphone

LONDON: Experts have come up with a cellphone that can recharge its own battery by harvesting energy from the owner's motion.

The self-charging handset by Nokia, who has already filed for a US patent, was predicted to work with heavier components, such as the radio transmitter circuit and battery, supported on a sturdy frame.

The frame apparently could shift along two sets of rails, allowing it travel up and down and side to side, New Scientist reported.

Each rail apparently hosted strips of piezoelectric crystals at its end, capable of generating a current when compressed by the frame such that motion, by the user or the movement of the phone, generates electricity.

That in turn charged a capacitor and subsequently the battery, boosting the charge

Nokia unveils C5 smartphone

Helsinki: Seeing the increasing demand for smartphones, Nokis has launched a low cost smartphone Nokia C5, which is slim, sleek look geared for mobile social networking.

The handset features direct access to favourite contacts on the device homescreen and Facebook status updates visible from the phonebook. In addition to social networking, users have access to Ovi Mail, Nokia Messaging, Ovi Maps, a 3.2 megapixel camera, a 2GB memory card and high-speed mobile broadband. Currently it is available in white or warm grey with a 2.2-inch screen. The price for the set has been fixed 135 euros ($183), excluding taxes and subsidies, and hitting the shelves next quarter, and are likely to be shipped in select markets during the second quarter.

Taslking to Economic Times, John Strand, chief of telecoms consultancy Strand Consult said, "This will grow Nokia marketshare in the smartphone segment and help them to increase their average sale prices." The market of smartphone are seen surging in 2010, with some analysts forecasting up to 50 percent growth, as handset vendors are pushing advanced features, once exclusive to pricey top-end models, into cheaper and cheaper phones. Nokia continues to lead the global smartphone market with an around 40 per cent market share, but it has lost ground to Apple's iPhone and RIM's Blackberry.

Nokia Launches 3 More Handsets for Emerging Markets

Nokia brings the Internet in emerging markets closer to reality with the announcement of three new mobile phones that open the door to information, entertainment, family and friends. The Nokia 2730 classic, Nokia 2720 fold and Nokia 7020 each come Internet-ready, and work with Nokia's range of emerging market services such as Nokia Life Tools and Ovi Mail.

"The power of the Internet is undeniable," says Alex Lambeek, Vice President at Nokia. "We've seen mobile technologies catalyze the growth of the informal sector across the world, empowering local entrepreneurs and having an immediate and lasting impact on people's lives. Services like Nokia Life Tools and Ovi Mail, combined with the mobile phones we're launching today, bring powerful solutions that can be the gateway to knowledge, entertainment and people, without the need for a PC."

Nokia 2730 classic

The Nokia 2730 classic is Nokia's most affordable 3G phone offering faster access to the Internet at Rs. 5155 (EUR 80). The Nokia 2730 classic is expected to start shipping in the third quarter of 2009.

Nokia 2720 fold

The Nokia 2720 fold is a compact fold phone with a mirror-effect design, which helps people stay organized with easy access to email, calendar, Internet connectivity and file sharing applications. Email can be activated by completing a simple three step set-up process, and in select markets will be offered with Nokia Life Tools. The Nokia 2720 fold is expected to begin shipping in the third quarter of 2009 for an estimated retail price of Rs. 3576 (EUR 55) before subsidies and taxes.

Nokia 7020

Another fold phone from the company, the 7020 uses light, color and metal finishes conveying personal style. It has a stardust effect when a call or message comes in, or users can tap twice to have the cover light up. It also has options to connect to social networks and share pictures taken with the 2 megapixel camera. The Nokia 7020 is expected to begin shipping in the fourth quarter of 2009 for an estimated retail price of Rs. 5799 EUR 90 before subsidies and taxes.

According to extensive Nokia consumer research, nearly half of emerging market customers state that they would rather connect to the Internet over a mobile phone than a PC. As a result, Nokia has developed solutions that consist of affordable mobile phones and applications, designed and built from the ground up to meet the specific needs of customers in the developing world. Lambeek continues, "Whilst many people are still primarily using voice and text, the Internet does offer a whole new range of opportunities."

Nokia Launches Two New Handsets in India

Nokia has just launched two new Symbian Series 40 enabled handsets in the Indian market - Nokia 6700 Classic and Nokia 6303 Classic which further strengthened its style and imaging portfolio for mobile devices. The devices, which were launched by Bollywood diva, Priyanka Chopra, are targeted at the suave and savvy Indian consumers who are looking for superior functionality with premium finish at competitive prices.

Alongside the Nokia 6700 Classic and Nokia 6303 Classic launch, the company also rolled out a consumer engagement initiative - “Pictures get us talking”. The consumer contest that starts from today, gives users an opportunity to upload their interesting and unique pictures on the Nokia website – www.nokia.co.in. The picture that starts the maximum conversations and is the most talked about in the virtual world will emerge as the winner. The winning entry will get a complete makeover by a well known fashion designer. In addition, Priyanka Chopra will also talk and Twitter about her favorite pictures on her Twitter page.

Speaking at the occasion, Vineet Taneja, Director Marketing, Nokia India said, “Nokia is delighted to strengthen its bond with India’s style conscious consumers, both by extending our association with Priyanka Chopra and with the launch of Nokia 6700 Classic and Nokia 6303 Classic. The new devices combine the superior functionality and enhanced user experience with premium designs and materials available at an extremely competitive price point. The Nokia 6700 Classic shares the same 'DNA' as its predecessor Nokia 6300 and we believe that it will be one of our best selling devices in 2009.”

The Nokia 6700 combines smooth surfaces, rich materials and precisely crafted parts with a full metal keymat which completes the premium finish. Other features include –

• a 2.2 inch TFT LCD (240 x 320 pixel resolution)
• 3G support with HSDPA, EDGE/GPRS
• Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP
• USB 2.0 (micro)
• A-GPS navigation with Nokia Maps,
• microSD card support
• a 5 megapixel camera,
• FM with RDS

Additionally the Nokia 6700 features the innovative uplink noise cancellation (UNC) that blocks out background noises and Navigation via internal GPS with Nokia Maps (30 days license free).

The second handset, the Nokia 6303 Classic features -

• a 2.2 inch screen (240 x 320 pixels)
• a 3.2 megapixel camera
• GPRS/EDGE
• Bluetooth 2.0
• USB 2.0 (micro)
• microSD card support
• pre-loaded Nokia Maps
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• FM radio

The 6303 is not a GPS enabled handset.

The Nokia 6700 Classic is available in Chrome and Black and is priced at Rs. 14,000. The Nokia 6303 Classic is priced at Rs. 8000.