There's a rather interesting article on the current situation of pads vs pc's on mashable today.
Quote
The other factor to consider is that, as Canalys notes, businesses are quite happy with their PCs. “We have been encouraged by the popularity of Windows 7 and the willingness of businesses to replace their install base,” said Canalys principal analyst Chris Jones in a release. “High-performance PCs are still clearly seen as a major driver of business productivity around the world.” Moreover, “few businesses had yet to replace notebooks with pads or smartphones,” the release states. Canalys expects that it will be a long time before businesses can overcome security concerns and application compatibility issues and embrace the so-called post-PC world.
The mass of consumers who are not thriving in this economy may feel the same way. When you’re pinched for cash, you start running your household like a business, scrutinizing every expense. At that point, an iPad may seem more like a luxury than a necessity and a Wintel PC may look like a great bargain.
You do realize that your multiple posts denigrating Android and Apple, while repeatedly proselytizing the benefits of a phone which you've had for 30 days is the very definition of a fanboi. I'm guessing not.
I don't see "multiple posts denigrating Android and Apple".
Owning Macs for many years, owning an iPad 2 and owning a Nokia since 4 months, I can't see how you come to those absurd conclusions.
Before buying an iPad, I was almost sold for a Galaxy Tab. Didn't buy it for technical reasons and happy about that decision.
The problems with fanboiz is that they don't want to see technical facts, they see what they have and how much better it is than what others have. They pretend to know that a "a Toyota is better than Mazda - Period!"
I buy anything which suits my needs. I may certainly buy an Android when it is mature enough. At the moment the only Android which I would seriously consider, is the Galaxy SII. The others cannot compete with Nokias in the 10KB range - and I have given my various reasons for my opinion.
Your miles will obviously vary. No reason to start a flame war on that.
As for tablets sure there is a large market, I'm just not included in it currently
Is this a Nokia management quote?
BTW, Nokia did have a Netbook, circa 2009, "Booklet".
------------------------
Nod to Mel Brooks…
Nokia Ultra-Senior VP of Customer Facing Activities: “Mr. Elop, the customers are revolting.”
Mr. Elop: “You said it, they stink on ice.”
Look, Nokia could incorporate time-travel into the next release (annabelle?), (of course, it would only take you back to 900 BC where you would be instantly killed for carrying a mobile phone and dressing so strangely), and it just wouldn’t matter.
Obviously different people like different things. I guess that I am hopelessly living in the past, or am I? What will those superior Android and Apple devices do that my old fashioned Nokia E52 won't do?
Why does my obsolete netbook have many more features than the new tablets and costs a lot less?
I guess that I should add that I DON'T like touchscreens. It's too bad that my Garmin GPS units have to have fingerprints all over the touch screen. Garmin gives me no choice and it's beginning to look like phones and mini computers may not give me a choice for much longer.
The short answer to your first question is "everything"
Obviously different people like different things. I guess that I am hopelessly living in the past, or am I? What will those superior Android and Apple devices do that my old fashioned Nokia E52 won't do?
Why does my obsolete netbook have many more features than the new tablets and costs a lot less?
I guess that I should add that I DON'T like touchscreens. It's too bad that my Garmin GPS units have to have fingerprints all over the touch screen. Garmin gives me no choice and it's beginning to look like phones and mini computers may not give me a choice for much longer.
The short answer to your first question is "everything"
I agree. These smart"phone" devices are amazing and I am generally not into the latest tech and am definitely a late adopter of such things. I usually wait a few generations whenever new technologies/devices come out until the kinks are worked out and prices come down.
So, after waiting 2-3 years after the first truly multi-function phones came out I bought the HTC Desire which is based on the Android OS. With this device, I can do everything and more that my stand alone computer (desktop or motebook) does at home with a form factor that fits in my pocket. This is especially so in terms of connectivity due to having access to both Wi-Fi and high-speed cellular data networks. The GPS chip also provides mapping and navigational functionality not found in computers.
The form factor is great for travel as well and I and most of my friends have found no need to bring out notebooks with us anymore (I am sitting in a cafe in Phnom Penh having my morning coffee right now as I type this out on my phone while surfing the web and listening to NPR radio [through their App.] I can also watch BBC news radio and video on the events in Libya, download and listen to my favorite podcasts (Google Listen) and check my Schwab balance and even execute some options trades (either using the web or their dedicated Android App.) before my lunch.
So for many people, a full featured smartphone definitely makes sense. In fact. I may never have the need to buy (to upgrade features) another computer again (or at least until the one I have already breaks as instill does need one as a hub unit for processor intensive applications and mass data storage and for video/photo editing and viewing.
In short I love my smartphone...not be side they are "cool" but for the functionality it gives me.
I agree. These smart"phone" devices are amazing and I am generally not into the latest tech and am definitely a late adopter of such things. I usually like to wait a few generations until the kinks are worked out and prices come down.
So, after waiting 2-3 years after the first truly multi-function phones came out I bought the HTC Desire which is based on the Android OS. With this device, I can do everything and more than my stand alone computer (desktop or motebook); this is especially so in terms of connectivity due to having access to both Wi-Fi and high-speed cellular data networks. The GPS chip also provides mapping and navigational functionality not found in computers.
While the HTC Desire is quite cheap nowadays with good specs (but lousy battery I believe?), it does not support 3G 850MHZ and thus cannot be used with DTAC or TRUE 3G. This must be considered when living in Thailand with their fragmented 3G "infrastructure".
In other countries you are normally fine with the standard 900/2100.
Otherwise I agree with you. smartphones are very nice travel devices. I used to travel with a Nokia N800 tablet (4 inch) in the past, but it is a bit slow after 4 years and now I carry an iPad together with my Smartphone. I just like the big screen and the more flexible handling.
But the iPad is for hotel, while the phone is everywhere. The iPad tethers to the phone, so no extra SIM card needed.
BTW, when you travel with a phone only, it is very useful to bring a small, light Bluetooth keyboard for writing emails and longer texts. Then you almost have the "computer experience".
I agree. These smart"phone" devices are amazing and I am generally not into the latest tech and am definitely a late adopter of such things. I usually like to wait a few generations until the kinks are worked out and prices come down.
So, after waiting 2-3 years after the first truly multi-function phones came out I bought the HTC Desire which is based on the Android OS. With this device, I can do everything and more than my stand alone computer (desktop or motebook); this is especially so in terms of connectivity due to having access to both Wi-Fi and high-speed cellular data networks. The GPS chip also provides mapping and navigational functionality not found in computers.
While the HTC Desire is quite cheap nowadays with good specs (but lousy battery I believe?), it does not support 3G 850MHZ and thus cannot be used with DTAC or TRUE 3G. This must be considered when living in Thailand with their fragmented 3G "infrastructure".
In other countries you are normally fine with the standard 900/2100.
Otherwise I agree with you. smartphones are very nice travel devices. I used to travel with a Nokia N800 tablet (4 inch) in the past, but it is a bit slow after 4 years and now I carry an iPad together with my Smartphone. I just like the big screen and the more flexible handling.
But the iPad is for hotel, while the phone is everywhere. The iPad tethers to the phone, so no extra SIM card needed.
BTW, when you travel with a phone only, it is very useful to bring a small, light Bluetooth keyboard for writing emails and longer texts. Then you almost have the "computer experience".
Very good points all...I wad speaking generally but yes, if you will be using the Thai 3G networks, one needs to check that your intended phone model supports the frequencies in use in Thailand.
Agree that the only thing one gives up with a smartphone is a satisfactory form factor for video playback. Therefore, sometimes I will bring along my old notebook for watching movies. This does also milatate for the future purchase of some type of tablet device in the future. (Again waiting a few generations to get the most for my money (Android Ice-Cream ).
As for the Desire, and most smartphones generally, battery life is poor but not so much when you consider the fast (power-hungry) chips and high def displays used and the small form factor (therefore small battery size). Because of this, I carry an external battery pack most of the time.
While the HTC Desire is quite cheap nowadays with good specs (but lousy battery I believe?), it does not support 3G 850MHZ and thus cannot be used with DTAC or TRUE 3G. This must be considered when living in Thailand with their fragmented 3G "infrastructure".
In other countries you are normally fine with the standard 900/2100.
The battery on the Desire is not worse than any other Android phone (or phone with a similarly large screen - which is what consumes most of the power). If it's really a problem you can buy 2-3 spare batteries and a charger on Ebay for $10-15 depending on model.
There are two different Desire models, 850MHz and 900MHz, you just need to get what fits your preferred provider.
AIS use 900MHz for 3G and was at the last count the largest provider in Thailand with almost as many customers as DTAC and True combined.
Back to basics...maybe best to cede this market segment to someone else? Not sure first-timers have any Nokia brand awareness, suspect price will be the deciding factor. Nokia 101 sounds like a case-study class on "what not to do".
Finnish handset maker, Nokia, has launched two new phones, both of which are highly affordable. These are the Nokia 101 which comes at a cost of $36 (EUR25) and Nokia 100 that costs $28 (EUR20).
Mary McDowell, executive vice-president of Nokia Mobile Phones, said: “We recognize that for many of the next billion people, a phone purchase is an investment.” She added that these launches further underline the commitment of the company to connect with new consumers.
Nokia 101 is planned to be introduced in Q3 of 2011.
Back to basics...maybe best to cede this market segment to someone else? Not sure first-timers have any Nokia brand awareness, suspect price will be the deciding factor. Nokia 101 sounds like a case-study class on "what not to do".
Finnish handset maker, Nokia, has launched two new phones, both of which are highly affordable. These are the Nokia 101 which comes at a cost of $36 (EUR25) and Nokia 100 that costs $28 (EUR20).
Mary McDowell, executive vice-president of Nokia Mobile Phones, said: “We recognize that for many of the next billion people, a phone purchase is an investment.” She added that these launches further underline the commitment of the company to connect with new consumers.
Nokia 101 is planned to be introduced in Q3 of 2011.
Hard to think what they're thinking...when all the money is in the apps and ad-services these days and what sort of apps are developers going to sell to people who can only afford to spend $ 30 for a phone or who would pay to serve ads to these same people.
Could it be that Nokia realizes that some people just want a phone that is simple and works? In my wife's family including me, there are two smart phones, both Nokias. One belongs to me and the other belongs to my wife. I do use several smart phone features. My wife does use her smart phone for her infrequent Internet connection and sometimes looks at pictures from the phone through the TV. She carries a 1,200 baht Nokia phone for every day use. There are at least 8 other 1,200 baht or less phones that her family members use.
I too have an early Nokia smartphone with a 2.8 inch display and QWERTY keyboard that I've grown to love... Along the way, I got comfortable and familiar with the Symbian OS... And the hardware's still going strong after 5 or so years of use. Does almost everything I want besides calling -- Internet browsing via Opera, snaps photos, plays music, messaging, etc etc.
I'd love to buy an updated version of the same kind of Nokia phone today, but shelling out bucks for any of Nokia's current Symbian offerings at this point seems like throwing money down a hole for anyone with any tech orientation and desire to do more than just routine phone things in the future...
Nokia has abandoned the Symbian OS, and thus developers simply aren't going to be writing new apps for it. Every time I see something new that I'd be interesting in adding to my phone, I check the info and it's almost always available for IPhone and Android, sometimes also for Blackberry and Windows, and now almost never for Symbian. Very unfortunately, it's become a dead-end road.
Could it be that Nokia realizes that some people just want a phone that is simple and works? In my wife's family including me, there are two smart phones, both Nokias. One belongs to me and the other belongs to my wife. I do use several smart phone features. My wife does use her smart phone for her infrequent Internet connection and sometimes looks at pictures from the phone through the TV. She carries a 1,200 baht Nokia phone for every day use. There are at least 8 other 1,200 baht or less phones that her family members use.
If all you want to do is make calls great...there are still some call only phone models for people like you. If you have no need for a of the sophisticated services offered by today's smartphones then don't buy one...just stop knocking them!
Could it be that Nokia realizes that some people just want a phone that is simple and works? In my wife's family including me, there are two smart phones, both Nokias. One belongs to me and the other belongs to my wife. I do use several smart phone features. My wife does use her smart phone for her infrequent Internet connection and sometimes looks at pictures from the phone through the TV. She carries a 1,200 baht Nokia phone for every day use. There are at least 8 other 1,200 baht or less phones that her family members use.
If all you want to do is make calls great...there are still some call only phone models for people like you. If you have no need for a of the sophisticated services offered by today's smartphones then don't buy one...just stop knocking them!
Gee, I didn't think that I was knocking my E52 Nokia smart phone. I think it is the best phone I have ever owned. My point is that I don't like touch screen phones, and am concerned that there may not be any high end phones other than touchscreens in the near future. If anyone is knocking anything, I feel that other posters are knocking Nokia.
If anyone is knocking anything, I feel that other posters are knocking Nokia.
Perhaps the title of the thread might have been an indication of the expected tenor of the thread?
I only posted the announcement of the low-end Nokia phones to illustrate the lack of focus, scattershot product announcements and basic lack of understanding of any of the mobile communications markets. This is typical of a legacy company.
The very fact that the VP refers to an emerging markets' view of a phone as an investment shows total ignorance. It's not a friggin' investment, it's a communications device. The gross margin on these newly announced models is probably ~ $ 8, which has to be shared along the value chain, so Nokia will need a billion customers just to not lose money. In these emerging market Nokia has limited brand awareness, so cannot capitalize on that and is likely to get price pressure from below and above. In some of these markets it might be a JetStar phone, or a Pepsi phone (MVNO model), not a Nokia phone.
And projecting personal preferences (the "it's good enough for me" mentality), and those of a single family, in a saturated market is not the way to address new markets, increase revenue and market share.
Symbian, MeeGo, Maemo, Harmottan, WM, N9, N900, Booklet; all illustrate a lack of focus at the senior management level. Hence the apropos thread title and follow on knockin'.
One of the good things about Nokia smartphone handsets in recent years has been their broad, multi-band compatibility for 3G services, which is especially significant in a fragmented, scattered 3G marketplace like Thailand.
When I buy a smartphone for a princely sum, I'd prefer not to find myself locked into only one or two 3G carriers in the ever-changing future, because the phone (other than Nokia) only supports 900 and 2100 Mhz 3G, or only 2100 Mhz 3G, or only 850 and 2100 Mhz... but not 900 Mhz...
Who knows whether the future Windows Phone versions of Nokia smartphones will continue that past broad compatibility... I hope so... Because most of the other major handset manufacturers do a pretty poor job of covering the different 3G bases with their handsets, probably because their larger country markets for 3G aren't nearly so fragmented as Thailand.
One of the good things about Nokia smartphone handsets in recent years has been their broad, multi-band compatibility for 3G services, which is especially significant in a fragmented, scattered 3G marketplace like Thailand.
Until just a few weeks ago this really wouldn't have been considered a feature per se.
But yes, Nokia does offer 5-band 3G radios on many of their Symbian smartphones: N8, C7, X7, E7, C6. This of course add significant costs, and further reduces margin for Nokia.
And Nokia's trio of new smartphones, 600, 700 and 701 all have 5-band radios.
That said I'm not sure if Nokia Thailand is localizing all of these models given the short life of Symbian? And I would choose a 3G service provider, then choose the best phone for that provider. But that's me. You have to go pretty deep with an Iphone 4 or SGS2 to get 4-band 3G. The obvious choices are AIS/900 Mhz or True (or even DTAC)/850 Mhz. It would be nice to have the flexibility, but certainly not worth tying yourself to a dead OS or dying Nokia.
Nokia Q2 2011 results - smartphone sales fall to 16.7m
Published by Rafe Blandford at 12:07 UTC, July 21st 2011
Nokia has released its Q2 2011 results, reporting an operating loss of -€487 million, with net sales of €9.275 billion (down 7% YoY). Nokia's Devices and Services division's losses were -€247 million. Margins in devices and services were -4.5% (down 14% YoY and down 14.2% QoQ). However, non-IFRS operating profit was €391 million (down 41% YoY and down 44% QoQ), with Devices and Services non-IFRS profit at €369 million, and margins at 6.7%. Total smartphone device sales were 16.7 million, compared with 24 million units in Q2 2010 (down 34% YoY) and 25.2 million units in Q1 2011 (down 31%, QoQ).
One of the good things about Nokia smartphone handsets in recent years has been their broad, multi-band compatibility for 3G services, which is especially significant in a fragmented, scattered 3G marketplace like Thailand.
When I buy a smartphone for a princely sum, I'd prefer not to find myself locked into only one or two 3G carriers in the ever-changing future, because the phone (other than Nokia) only supports 900 and 2100 Mhz 3G, or only 2100 Mhz 3G, or only 850 and 2100 Mhz... but not 900 Mhz...
Who knows whether the future Windows Phone versions of Nokia smartphones will continue that past broad compatibility... I hope so... Because most of the other major handset manufacturers do a pretty poor job of covering the different 3G bases with their handsets, probably because their larger country markets for 3G aren't nearly so fragmented as Thailand.
Correct.
When you live in Thailand, you want to be prepared to have all necessary 3G frequencies available and not being attached to a certain provider. Everything changes here constantly, or you may just move to a different area where yo need another provider.
So the basic rule is: Only buy a smartphone which supports all of 850, 900 and 2100 MHz. This will limit your choice to Blackberry, iPhone, Nokia and the Samsung SGS2.
Some more points about anti Nokia drivels I read here:
First: Symbian is not dead. Actually it will be supported with updates until 2016. This is from an official statement. The latest updates (called "Anna" and "Belle") are actually quite nice. There is more to follow.
Second: Nokia is not dead. Actually they build some of the best quality hardware available. You will rarely find a better RF-system, better sound system (only iPhone can compete in this field), better battery life and so on. And you get all this for almost half the price of an iPhone or an upper Samsung.
Third: Windows Phone will soon be the next major platform for high-end Nokia smartphones. This may shock some people who worry that it will be of the same low quality as previous Microsoft software. I'm not fond of Windows either, but from what I heard from qualified sources, "WP7 is the first time Microsoft got something right".
If this is the case then they have a bright future, combining a competitive new OS and their long expertise in hardware.
We will see. The smartphone market is moving very fast, and the hype of yesterday will not be the hype of tomorrow.
Some more points about anti Nokia drivels I read here:
First: Symbian is not dead. Actually it will be supported with updates until 2016. This is from an official statement. The latest updates (called "Anna" and "Belle") are actually quite nice. There is more to follow.
Second: Nokia is not dead. Actually they build some of the best quality hardware available. You will rarely find a better RF-system, better sound system (only iPhone can compete in this field), better battery life and so on. And you get all this for almost half the price of an iPhone or an upper Samsung.
Third: Windows Phone will soon be the next major platform for high-end Nokia smartphones. This may shock some people who worry that it will be of the same low quality as previous Microsoft software. I'm not fond of Windows either, but from what I heard from qualified sources, "WP7 is the first time Microsoft got something right".
If this is the case then they have a bright future, combining a competitive new OS and their long expertise in hardware.
We will see. The smartphone market is moving very fast, and the hype of yesterday will not be the hype of tomorrow.
1. Yes, Symbian will be supported until 2016, but not by Nokia.
On February 11, 2011, Nokia announced that it would migrate away from Symbian to Windows Phone 7.[8] In June 22, 2011 Nokia has made an agreement with Accenture as an outsourcing program. Accenture will provide Symbian based software development and support services to Nokia through 2016 and about 2,800 Nokia employees will be Accenture employees at early October 2011.
Look, it's dead. Just because you want to "Weekend at Bernies" it doesn't mean it has a pulse.
2. Nobody said Nokia is dead. Some us are saying that it is dying. Only a fool, or a senior manager at Nokia, could fail to acknowledge the dire straights the company is in. While not on life support yet, euthanasia (not asian children) should be considered, in the form of a sale.
3. Nokia Windows phones are not due until sometime in 2012. Nokia plans another 20 or so Symbian models to stanch the bleeding.
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Microsoft's(MSFT_) new crop of Mango Windows 7 phones are coming as early as next week.
But here's the upshot: The introduction is not in the U.S., and Nokia(NOK_), the company that has staked its survival on Windows, isn't involved.
Instead, it's HTC that's expected to announce two Windows Phone 7 devices next week at a press conference in London. Not only are these among the first phones to run the new Mango version of Windows 7, but they are also expected to be the first to incorporate Microsoft's Skype video calling application.
While Microsoft has a lot riding on the success of Windows 7, it arguably represents the make-or-break moment for Nokia. And with HTC and Fujitsu already out with Mango phones, the clock is ticking for Nokia, which has promised to have its first Windows phone available this year.
It would be nice to have the flexibility, but certainly not worth tying yourself to a dead OS or dying Nokia.
I wasn't suggesting anyone buy a Symbian Nokia phone at this point... In fact, above in this thread, I specifically, with some regret, called that a dead-end road because of the end of application support, among other issues. Now, what will the future Nokia Windows Phones look like in Thailand? That's an interesting question for the future...
It's nice to say, pick your mobile carrier first, and then choose the corresponding smartphone. But things change as time passes. People move from one location to another. Mobile companies get accused of operating illegally in Thailand. Companies promise service, then can't meet those promises, etc etc...
Given the way the mobile phone industry operates in Thailand, under the "oversight" of the government, I'd rather prefer to keep all my service options open and not be locked in by the choice of a limited bands 3G phone.
1. Yes, Symbian will be supported until 2016, but not by Nokia.
Who cares. It is just a company restructuring, mostly the same engineers. Happens all the time.
Android is also not by Samsung, just to remind you.
And finally, technology moves on. The current Symbian phones are some of the best value phones on the market. In about 2 years, you buy another phone anyway. For current customers it is sufficient to know that Symbian is not dead and is supported until 2016.
And you are wrong again: Nokia WP7 phones will be out before Christmas.
My prediction: in the next two years, high end smartphones will come mostly from Nokia and Apple. Samsung, LG, HTC will serve the mid market. Low end will come from Chinese (Huawei).
3. Nokia Windows phones are not due until sometime in 2012. Nokia plans another 20 or so Symbian models to stanch the bleeding.
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Microsoft's(MSFT_) new crop of Mango Windows 7 phones are coming as early as next week.
But here's the upshot: The introduction is not in the U.S., and Nokia(NOK_), the company that has staked its survival on Windows, isn't involved.
I try to keep up with this general subject as best as possible... And there seems to be a lot of uncertainty of just what's going to happen with the future of Windows Phone and Nokia...
I keep hearing about some kind of two-pronged approach, being Nokia smartphones, like the hardware from their recent N and E models, being released in the U.S. for pretty substantial prices and meant to compete head-on with the IPhone and higher level Android models...
But then, supposedly, some kind of different and/or lesser version of the Windows Phone OS on other hardware targeted for "emerging" markets... where it would/could run on less costly and less sophisticated hardware.
Where Thailand comes out in that future, in terms of Nokia and Windows Phone OS, I don't have a clue.
Nokia will likely launch a Windows Phone (See-Ray), which may be a cobbled-together N9, at Nokia World, Oct. 26/27. I assumed everyone understands it takes a long time to get product into the channel, so any Q4 units have had to have been manufactured (rumors ~ 2 million units by Compal in Taiwan) by now. This will have zero positive financial impact in Q4, likely a negative one. It will take well into 2012 before Nokia has global availability (localizations take time) of any one model.
To just get within sight of Apple and Android, Nokia will have to expend serious marketing effort and money. They could have the best hardware, and even the best software and maybe the best apps/market/store, but changing the perception of consumers is not so easy. Then you add in all of the channel/service provider issues and you see a market which will be unaccepting of Nokia's sales pitch as there is little end-user interest/demand. What's left? Price? When was the last time you saw anyone in public in Thailand with a Nokia smartphone? Maybe the same time I saw someone one the BTS using a "netbook".
The U.S. market is different and Nokia may never be able to recover there? Maybe in the pre-paid/burner/low-end market?
Current Nokia Symbian smartphones are values because Nokia can only compete on price. Again, they could give them away here for free and people still wouldn't take them, except perhaps to sell in the market to make some extra cash?
When was the last time you saw anyone in public in Thailand with a Nokia smartphone? Maybe the same time I saw someone one the BTS using a "netbook".
Actually, I know a fair number of Thais who have and use various Nokia smartphone models, among them the N8, which seemed to be pretty popular here...
When I'm out and around in BKK, I see various models in hand pretty often. But when I'm on SkyTrain, to my continuing amazement, I see tons of Thai folks, particularly women, still wielding their Blackberries...
I can't say for certain about this, but the regular Thais (not the geeks) I've encountered seem to be pretty unaware of the whole changing OS and world market share issues. Either Blackberries continue to be cool, or a lot of Thais haven't gotten around to replacing them yet... And I'd tend to doubt the latter, given how frequently the typical urban Thai seems to get a new mobile phone.
I have never seen anyone here with a Nokia smartphone, I mean in the last three years. I do see Nokia smartphones by the hundreds in those sad used mobile phone display cases in the markets, selling for satangs on the baht. A bit reminiscent of the "Island of Misfit Toys" actually.
I agree, the N8 has probably been the most successful Nokia Smartphone here recently, maybe selling through to a few hundred end-users (fewer than 1,000).
And I'll also stipulate that for those foreigners worried about the 3G landscape here (all three of them), then yes, buy a quad-/penta-/hexaband phone to safeguard yourself from the scary Thai 3G market. Clearly the majority, 99.999997% of the market here is not following that lead. And don't try to tell me that it was Nokia's plan specifically to address the Thai market. Nokia has little forecasted demand by frequency, and cannot support multiple SKUs, so they had little choice but to incur additional cost by building multiple carrier support up front. Other manufacturers have visibility into carrier requirements and build the phones to match, at lower cost.
3
Some us are saying that it is dying. Only a fool, or a senior manager at Nokia, could fail to acknowledge the dire straights the company is in. While not on life support yet, euthanasia (not asian children) should be considered, in the form of a sale.
