Nokia introduces the Nokia Asha 501
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Nokia Asha 501 and Asha platform reinvent the affordable smartphone category
New Delhi, India and Espoo, Finland - Nokia today unveiled the first of a new
family of Asha smartphones with the introduction of the Nokia Asha 501. The
handset pushes the boundaries of affordable smartphone design with bold color, a
high-quality build and an innovative user interface. The Nokia Asha 501 is the
first device to run on the new Asha platform, which is designed to make the
experience faster and more responsive. The Asha platform also helps developers
to create, publish and make more money from apps made specifically for the new
generation of Asha devices.
Standout design, innovative user interface
The Nokia Asha 501 makes high-end design and quality accessible to more people.
The device is available in a choice of six striking colours that complement the
elegant design. It comes in just two parts: a durable, removable casing and the
scratch-resistant glass display, which features a three-inch, capacitive
touchscreen and a single 'back' button. The compact new Asha weighs only 98
grams, for the ultimate portability.
The Nokia Asha 501 is built to make it easier for people to access everything
they love, with a simple swipe and a choice of two main screens: Home and
Fastlane. Home is a traditional, icon-based view for launching individual apps
or accessing a specific feature, like the dialler or phone settings. The new
Fastlane view was inspired by how people really use their phone. Recently
accessed contacts, social networks and apps, unique to each person, are stored
and presented in Fastlane. It provides a record of how the phone is used, giving
people a glimpse of their past, present and future activity, and helping them
multi-task by providing easy access to their favorite features.
Smarter and more personal Internet experiences
The new Asha comes with Nokia Xpress Browser pre-loaded, which compresses
Internet data by up to 90%. This is aimed at making mobile browsing faster and
more affordable. Nokia also announced the availability of Nokia Xpress Now, a
new Web application that recommends content based on location, preferences and
trending topics. It will be available via the Browser homepage or as a download
from Nokia Store.
"Nokia has surpassed expectations of what's achievable in the sub-100 USD phone
category with a new Asha handset that is unlike any other, with design cues from
Lumia and a mix of features, services and affordability that is valued by price-
conscious buyers," said Neil Mawston, executive director, Global Wireless
Practice, Strategy Analytics. "This is a welcome addition to the market and a
refreshing option for consumers looking to upgrade from feature phones."
Asha platform for next-generation family of devices
The new Nokia Asha 501 was purpose-built to give people the best possible mobile
experiences at an affordable price. It is highly efficient, with an industry-
leading standby time of up to 48 days*. The Asha 501 is the first smartphone
built on the new Asha platform, which leverages Nokia's investments in
Smarterphone, a company which Nokia acquired in 2012.
The new Asha platform provides developers with an open, standards-based
environment for creating quality apps for consumers. Developers can create apps
for the Nokia Asha 501 that will be compatible with future Asha platform-based
devices. Nokia gives developers the chance to make more money through the global
reach of Nokia Store and tools like Nokia In-App Payment and Nokia Advertising
Exchange (NAX), as well as Nokia's unparalleled operator billing network.
Many of the most popular applications are already available or in development
for the Nokia Asha platform, including CNN, eBuddy, ESPN, Facebook, Foursquare,
Line, LinkedIn, Nimbuzz, Pictelligent, The Weather Channel, Twitter, WeChat,
World of Red Bull and games from Electronic Arts, Gameloft, Indiagames, Namco-
Bandai and Reliance Games. WhatsApp and other key partners continue to explore
new Asha.
The HERE experience, based on Nokia's leading location-based platform, will also
be available as a download for the Nokia Asha 501, starting in Q3 2013 and will
initially include basic mapping services.
"The new Nokia Asha 501 raises the bar for what is possible in affordable
smartphone design and optimization," said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice
president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "The synergy between the physical design and
the engine that is the new Asha platform has created a smartphone with both
style and substance at a great price."
Facebook and global operators to support Nokia Asha 501 with free data plans
The Nokia Asha 501 is expected to start shipping in June 2013. It is expected to
be available through approximately 60 operators and distributors in more than
90 countries worldwide.
"We are very happy to offer the new Nokia Asha 501 through our subsidiaries in
the continent. We are certain that this innovative device will follow the
successful footprint of the Nokia Asha family, combining affordability with the
best communication and Internet browsing capabilities," said Marco Quatorze,
Value Added Services Director for America Movil.
A leading operator in the Asia-Pacific region, Telkomsel is also supporting the
arrival of the new Nokia Asha. "The Nokia Asha 501 will help us to boost the
mobile Internet in Indonesia. It is powered by innovations like the Nokia Xpress
Browser, based on a very efficient data consumption technology which allow us to
offer best data plan tariff for people," said Alistair Johnston, Chief Marketing
Officer (CMO) of Telkomsel. "We have a billing agreement with Nokia that
supports the creation of local applications absolutely relevant to Indonesian
consumers."
The popularity of the Nokia Asha family has also prompted innovative approaches
to bundled mobile services. Nokia, Facebook and mobile network operator Airtel
announced they have joined forces to offer data-free access to the standalone
Facebook app, as well as the mobile site m.facebook.com. By the end of second
quarter, current Airtel subscribers in Africa and India** will be able to enjoy
unlimited, data-free access to Facebook from their Nokia Asha 501 for a limited
period of time.
Commenting on the partnership, Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer for Airtel
Africa, said: "The collaboration with Nokia is in line with our strategy of
enabling people to access data in Africa as we seek to bridge the digital divide
across the continent. We're already witnessing tremendous growth in data use
across the 17 countries where we operate. The provision of free Facebook access
is an excellent proposition to the millions of Airtel consumers. We are
extremely delighted to partner with Nokia to give our consumers an even better
mobile experience."
Telkomsel will provide a specific Nokia Telkomsel Asha data plan that offers up
to 500 MB of data use and includes 60 minutes of calls and 60 SMS. The company
will also provide a one month free data plan to consumers using Nokia Asha 501
that can be used for all mobile Internet activities including access to Facebook
or downloading apps.
"This bundle is a great way to discover Facebook on your Nokia Asha and enjoy
the experience for longer without worrying about data charges," said Vaughn
Smith, VP mobile partnerships, Facebook. "Working in close partnership with
Nokia and global operators made this offer possible and we're excited to help
connect the world on Facebook."
MTN, a leading operator across Africa, said it will also offer the Nokia Asha
501 and ease access to Facebook. "We are excited to support this initiative with
Facebook in Nigeria and Zambia and we are looking forward to expand it to other
markets," says Pieter Verkade, group chief commercial officer at MTN.
Product specifications and availability
The Nokia Asha 501 is available in single or EasySwap Dual SIM models. All come
with WiFi and Bluetooth. Other specifications:
- Dimensions: 99.2 x 58 x 12.1 mm; 98 grams
- Camera: 3.2 MP
- Single SIM standby time: up to 48 days***
- Dual SIM standby time: up to 26 days***
- Talk time: up to 17 hours
- Additional memory of 4GB (card included in box), expandable up to 32GB
- Forty free EA Games worth ?75 downloadable from Nokia Store
- Available colours: Bright Red, Bright Green, Cyan, Yellow, White and Black
- Suggested pricing is 99 USD before taxes and subsidies.
Read more about the Nokia Asha 501 on Nokia Conversations:
http://conversations.nokia.com/?p=120951.
* when using the single SIM model
**Under test conditions; actual results may vary, depending on use.
** *Time implementation differs by country
About Nokia
Nokia is a global leader in mobile communications whose products have become an
integral part of the lives of people around the world. Every day, more than 1.3
billion people use their Nokia to capture and share experiences, access
information, find their way or simply to speak to one another. Nokia's
technological and design innovations have made its brand one of the most
recognized in the world. For more information, visit http://www.nokia.com/about-
nokia.
Media Enquiries:
Nokia
Communications
Tel. +358 7180 34900
Email: press.services(at)nokia.com
www.nokia.com
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of
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(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: NOKIA via Thomson Reuters ONE
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Datum: 09.05.2013 - 09:01 Uhr
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News-ID 258055
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