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TECHNOLOGY

Social networking spurs handset sales

Nokia unveils latest top-end device: N8

SAYEDA AKTER,from Singapore
Social networking through the mobile phone has fueled growth of handset sales in the South East Asian market, especially Bangladesh, said the head of marketing of Nokia for the Southeast-Asia Pacific region.
“We have seen a rapid increase in the sales of handsets all across the region in the last five to six years. Along with that, the habit of taking services from a mobile, such as the internet and messaging, have also increased alot,” saidWill Harris.
“The growing number of social network users of all ages actually paves the way to increase the sales of handsets in this region. For example, now more and more people are getting connected to Facebook through their mobile handsets."
A recent survey conducted by Nokia shows that 62 percent of total mobile activities in this region is social networking, Harris toldThe Daily Star.
“Another reason is that the people of this region have low access to a personal computer or land phone at home,
which makes them go for a handset, since it's cheaper than a PC,” he said.
And for that, the company is constantly working to produce affordable handsets and creating awareness on using technology among the local people of different countries.
As part of this, Nokia launched a campaign, Ovi, in Bangladesh in 2009 that helps educate people about the internet, particularlye-mail services.
Already five lakh people have come under internet coverage through this campaign, said Prem Chand, general manager of Nokia, Emerging Asia.
“Today, Nokia is integrating its devices with innovative services through Ovi, including music, maps, apps, email and more,” he said.
The Finnish giant's latest top-end device, the touchscreen N8, was unveiled at its annual Asian trade event in Singapore on Monday.
The regional launch of the N8 comes exactly one week after Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs unveiled an upgraded version of the phenomenally successful iPhone
inSanFranciso.
The company announced two other devices: Nokia X5 and Nokia X6 8GB. The handsets will hit the local market by year-end.
In her keynote paper, Jo Harlow, senior vice president of Nokia Smartphones, said these new sets are mainly a platform for high-end mobile computers.
“The beauty is that we can reach many different audiences with this scalable, open source platform. It is allowing us to truly democratise smartphones, as these sets will be cheaper than that of other brands," she added.
The Nokia N8 is the first smartphone based on the Symbian 3 software, which has the feature to create content, connect to social networks, web television programmes and Ovi Store applications.
The price of the Nokia N8 will stand at 370 euros, while theNokiaX5andthe Nokia X6 8GB will be up for sale at 165 euros and 225 euros. (1 euro=Tk85)
Chris Carr, vice president of sales in the Southeast Asia Pacific region, also spoke at the launching ceremony.