Strech it…bend it…Future Mobile phones from NOKIA

Nokia and the University of Cambridge are showing off a new stretchable and flexible mobile device of the future called Morph.

The new concept phone is part of an online display presented in conjunction with the “Design and the Elastic Mind” exhibition underway through May 12 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The device, which is made using nanotechnology, is intended to demonstrate how cell phones in the future could be stretched and bent into different shapes, allowing users to “morph” their devices into whatever shape they want. Think Stretch Armstrong for cell phones. Want to wear your cell phone as a bracelet? No problem, just bend it around your wrist.

Nokia says the concept device demonstrates handset features that nanotechnology might be capable of delivering, including flexible materials, transparent electronics, and self-cleaning surfaces.

“Nokia Research Center is looking at ways to reinvent the form and function of mobile devices,” Bob Iannucci, chief technology officer for Nokia, said in a statement. “The Morph concept shows what might be possible.”

Even though Morph is still in early development, Nokia believes that certain elements of the device could be used in high-end Nokia devices within the next seven years. And as the technology matures, nanotechnology could eventually be incorporated into Nokia’s entire line of products to help lower manufacturing costs.

                                   Open Mode

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                              Wrist Mode

Nokia & Vodafone recalls Nokia 6110 Navigator

In a setback for Nokia Maps, Vodafone and Nokia have issued a recall for Nokia 6110 Navigator handsets sold through Vodafone due to problems with the mapping software.

What is the problem? 

According to reports, when customers try to launch a map of the U.K. and Ireland, the navigation software freezes the handset. The issue only occurs on black, customized versions of the handset distributed by Vodafone.

Affected handsets number: 

Estimates of the affected handsets are about 3,000.

Nokia has said it is aware of the issue with a “small number of handsets” and that it is working with Vodafone to “rectify the situation.” The handset maker has set up a service for affected customers to fix any issues with the handsets.

Vodafone has said that it has located the faulty batch of handsets and removed them from distribution centers, and is still working to remove any from stores.

Nokia – THE Mobile Handset Monster

In 2007 global handset shipment were at a mind-boggling 1.15 billion handsets

In Q4 2007, the total shipment from the Finnish major increased to 133.5 million units, up 19.5 percent from 111.7 in Q3, giving NOKIA (I feel the name should be YES-KIYA, Kiya – ‘doing in Hindi’) a whopping 39.5% market share. The dominance of NOKIA can be gauged by the fact that NOKIA’s market share of 39.5% is close to the combined market share of 41.9% of the next 4 of Top 5 mobile handset players.

For the full 2007 year NOKIA sold 437 million units globally commanding a 38% market share, almost 3 times the closet competitor (SAMSUNG).

SAMSUNG

• Q4 sequential growth of 8.7% falling short of industry’s 15.4% growth rate
• Q4 market share down to 13.7% from 15.1% in Q3
• Q4 2007 shipments grew at 45.1% from 31.9 million in Q4 2006 (The highest among the top 5 players)
• For the year 2007, the total shipment 161.1 million units achieved market share of 14% from 11.9% percent in 2006. Kicked MOTO down to 3rd place from 2nd

MOTOROLA

Hello MOTO!!! Seems number of people saying Hello! Helllooo!! on Motorola phones are shrinking coninuously. Highlights of Q4 for MOTO :

• Q4 shipment at 40.9 million, up 9.9% from 37.2 million in Q3
• Q4 market share at 12.1 %, down from 12.7 % in Q3 2007 and 22.6% in Q4 2006
• For the entire year 2007 the total shipment at 159 million giving it a market share of 13.8%. It is down by a whopping 8% from 22% in 2006

SONY ERICSSON

• Q4 shipment at 30.8 million, up18.9% from 25.9 million in Q3. The onle player in the top 5 list apart from NOKIA registering a growth rate better than the industry rate.