Socially Supercharged Smartphone - NOKIA Surge

Based on a Symbian S-60 operating system, Nokia Surge, referred to as a ‘socially supercharged smartphone’, boasts of a horizontal slider QWERTY keyboard and preloaded JuiceCaster to enable you remain tapped with social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr.

In addition, the smartphone offers other features like IM texting, multimedia messages, full HTML Web browser with Flash support for nearly all online destinations, and supports several AT&T services, such as AT&T Navigator, AT&T Mobile Music and AT&T Video share.

Other features include 2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, a microSD expansion slot, and a 2.4-inch wide screen.

Available on AT&T’s 3G network, the handset will be launched in US on July 19 for $79.99, with a two-year service agreement and a $50 mail-in rebate.

2.0 megapixel camera - Customers can capture quality photos with color camera and 4X digital zoom.

AT&T Navigator - AT&T Navigator provides audible turn-by-turn directions, monitors traffic and alerts users when there is a slowdown or incident .

AT&T Mobile Music - Customers can listen and download their favorite music from Napster Mobile, eMusic Mobile, XM Radio and more over the air.

AT&T Video Share - The first-ever service in the U.S. that allows users to share live video over wireless devices while participating in a voice call.

JuiceCaster - Customers can share videos and pictures from their wireless device to the Web's most popular sites including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

The $ 79.99 price is considered to be
very competitive as compared to Apple’s iPhone 3GS. It remains to be seen if the model can stand competition to iPhone.

Nokia Corp. is the near king of the world -- except in the U.S. -- when it comes to smartphone and mobile device shipments. Now, the Espoo, Finland-based company is in the midst of a long-term push to rectify its problems in this country.
For instance, Nokia is trying to sell more mobile phones and smartphones through U.S. carriers and is seeking ways to make its Symbian operating system software more friendly to American users, said Ira Frimere, product portfolio manager for Nokia North America.
And Monday, Nokia introduced a new smartphone called Surge, the first time the traditional manufacturer has shipped a model without a number in its name, which analysts see as a subtle move by the engineering-focused Scandinavian firm to start using American marketing techniques. The Surge slider device, jointly developed with AT&T, includes a physical QWERTY keyboard, noted Frimere.
"Our strategy is to get as many devices into U.S. carriers as possible," Frimere said in an interview. "We want to be number one in the U.S."
That goal will require some heavy lifting on the company's part as Symbian and Nokia remain relatively unknown to most American consumers, analysts noted, especially when compared to their European and Asian counterparts who appear to love the technology.


About Nokia

Nokia is a pioneer in mobile telecommunications and the world's leading maker of mobile devices. Today, we are connecting people in new and different ways - fusing advanced mobile technology with personalized services to enable people to stay close to what matters to them. We also provide comprehensive digital map information through NAVTEQ; and equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks.