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In a bid to bolster sagging handset sales, Nokia, the world's biggest mobile-phone maker, is entering the PC business. On Monday, Nokia unveiled its Nokia Booklet 3G. The "full-function" personal computer with high-speed mobile Internet access capability uses Microsoft Corp.'s Windows software, Nokia said. Nokia didn't reveal pricing details, but the device appears to be a high-end version of netbook computers that have become popular because of their mobility and low price tags. The Espoo, Finland-based company's entry into the PC market comes as it seeks new revenue streams to offset six quarters of declining average selling prices for its handsets. Among the company's initiatives: launching services like the Ovi music download store and buying mobile navigation company Navteq in July 2008. Nokia is the world's dominant maker of mobile phones with a 38% share of the global market. But increasingly it has faced competition in the high-end of the market from Apple Inc.'s iPhone and Research in Motion Ltd.'s Blackberry. It has also ceded market share to Asian rivals such as Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, which makes both PCs and mobile phones. Meanwhile, personal computer makers including Taiwan's Acer Inc., the third-largest PC-maker by shipments, have launched their own lineup of smartphones. Nokia's move highlights increased consumer demand for products that fuse portable computing, telecommunications and music-listening technology, and marks a significant strategic decision, said Ranjit Atwal, principal research analyst for the PC industry at Gartner Inc. "It's not going to be huge compared with its mobile portfolio, but strategically it's where devices are headed," with the convergence of PC-like functions together with the ability to communicate. He added the key task will be how it will differentiate its offering from rivals. Around 2.5 million netbooks were sold in Europe last quarter, according to Gartner figures. "The Nokia Booklet 3G is a natural evolution for us," said Kai Oistamo, Nokia's executive vice president for Devices, in a statement. Nokia declined to comment on availability or device details ahead of a media event scheduled for Sept. 2. .... |
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