HELSINKI, Finland-Nokia introduced two new handsets chock full of high-end features-including color screens, digital camera technology, application downloading capabilities and video-clip recording. The new devices could see the world’s number-one mobile-phone company help push wireless into the new age of multimedia.
Investors seemed heartened by the move, sending the company’s stock up almost 5 percent after the news to almost US$14 per share.
“This news increases our confidence in our Nokia estimates,” wrote UBS Warburg in a note to investors. “We believe these new products put Nokia in the offensive.”
Nokia’s 3510i handset features a color screen and support for Java technology and multimedia messaging services. The phone will ship in Europe and Africa in time for holiday sales and is expected to sell for about US$200 before subsidies and taxes.
Nokia’s high-end 3650 phone features a built-in high-resolution digital camera and can record and send about 30 seconds worth of video. The color-screen, Java-capable phone is tri-band GSM and can work in the United States. It is expected to sell for about US$450 and will ship early next year.
