New models aimed at corporate clients, revamping Nokia's aging offerings
By Tarmo Virki
updated 11:47 a.m. ET, Mon., June. 16, 2008
LONDON - The world's top
cellphone maker Nokia unveiled two new phone models aimed at corporate clients on Monday, revamping its somewhat aging offering to business customers.
The new sliding model E66, and the E71, with full keyboard, both start shipping in July and will retail for around $538, excluding operator subsidies and local taxes.
Models for corporate clients usually last longer in phone makers' portfolios than the consumer-focused
phones, but nine months have already passed since Nokia introduced the E51, its last phone model for corporate clients.
Nokia sells 40 percent of all phones sold globally, but the market for business users who look for fast access to their e-mails on the road is dominated by Research in Motion's
Blackberry devices and service.
"The business market is becoming increasingly competitive and highly segmented so these new products are critical new additions to Nokia's E series line up," said Geoff Blaber, an analyst at research firm CCS.
Since Nokia introduced the E51 model, rivals, including RIM and Sony Ericssonhave introduced new models for business users, intensifying competition in the sector.
"We will see a swathe of new products from RIM, Palm and a number of Windows Mobile licensees in the coming quarters so it was essential that Nokia strengthened its portfolio," said CCS's Blaber.
Both new Nokia phones will have 3.2 megapixel cameras and built-in GPS receivers for navigation.
The Nokia E71 is 10 millimeters thick — the thinnest phone with a full QWERTY keyboard in the world, Nokia said.
"Users around the world, in general, have started to use more and more QWERTY devices," Soren Petersen, a director at Nokia's devices unit, told a news conference.
Nokia unveils two new business phones 
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