The transformation of course is in reference to Nokia now turning a new page. Just several weeks ago the company was boasting of the E series of devices. Officially launched this week (as we have all heard by now) is the N Series – a lineup of products that is breaking new ground.

So why the N Series? Putting the product announcements into context, Ollila described the company’s direction and how mobility is increasingly shaping our social interactions. Communication is now much easier and more affordable. A greater choice of devices and services are available and user experiences are being transformed by TV, video, and game playing which is enabled on mobile devices. Business too is increasingly mobilized with the enterprise user ever more dependant on access to email and corporate information. When you listen to Ollila you become increasingly more aware of how mobility is bringing us all closer. How mobile are we? Numbers tossed out in the welcome session indicate that we are well on our way to seeing some 3 billion mobile device users by the end of the decade. That number is expanding so fast that Nokia’s sales volumes are rising… this year, sales will be up 20% over last year to some 780 million units. For the consumer he boasts how ease of use and cost are still the main consideration and are responsible for driving uptake.

Mobility is Viral

Using mobile phones increasingly benefits business and personal users… the experience is viral. Orilla uses as an example the effect of sending a txt message to someone for the first time. Perhaps it’s their first message received. Chances are they will respond and then likely use the service again and again. Given the viral nature of mobile services it becomes clear how the benefits of fixed mobile convergence systems is an exciting  area for the company, as pointed out in the session.

Transforming the experience

Mobility is enabling users to take the experience with them. By 2009, camera phones will account for 74% of cellular sales volume. Nokia expects to ship 100 million camera enabled devices this year. Mobile music is also an exciting growth area for the company. Phones with integrated players are becoming common and half of all existing Nokia devices have music functionality.

Growth Segments

Mobile games are continuing to grow with rich multi-media gaming experiences. 3G is driving the growth in this area and half of all new Nokia devices next year will support 3G.

Mobile TV is continuing to grow and many pilots have hit the air. Expect to be watching the 2008 Olympics on a Nokia device!

Mobility is also transforming the home entertainment system as device integration continues.

Sharing videos, songs, TV, images… Nokia is meeting the challenge by enabling users to share their mobile experiences… at work and at play.

Mobility is revitalizing businesses as the work we do is changing so too do the tools being used. People view the mobile phone as a tool to get the job done. With geographically diverse business users communication can be a problem. There is still a large, untapped market that needs to be mobilized for their business processes.

Enter the new E series – the E60, E61, and E70. These devices offer advanced features for voice, email make them best of class devices for business mobility needs. More productivity and ease of use will be the big benefit of the business user while simple to use software and devices are going to be a big benefit. Constant communication and access while on the move are also driving the uptake. These devices are Nokia’s response. According to Ollila, the small businesses will lead the adaptation of the business practices. Keep this segment in mind when developing your applications. And for developers of mobile apps… Java is still the big story here. It was pointed out that Nokia expects developer revenues from Java applications to be some 340 million Euro. According to Nokia, more than 180 operators are now deploying Java services. Consider also these numbers:
- 708 million mobile Java devices had shipped as of June.
- 635 models of mobile Java devices are offered.
- 32 mobile device vendors use Java technology.
- More than 45,000 Java applications are on the market.

With the stage being turned over to Anssi Vanjoki - EVP & General Manager, Multimedia, Nokia, the two executives recalled the last time they were together on the Barcelona stage. It was back in 2001 when the Nokia 7650 was introduced. As it turns out, that day was a very significant day for the two and for Nokia. Vanjoki then looks at the new industry and the “connected life”

Voice is at the center of everything… the way it is produced today is now very different… now produced over IP… enter voice communication over IP… VoIP. The telecom network is no longer serving just one application. Voice is at the center piece of many new applications and services. This transformation will be disruptive as the industry changes to support the advent of these services. At the heart will be a device that was first introduced in 2001… a multi-media computer. A device that is programmable, a central CPU, a smartphone – The Nokia 7650. As it turns out now, the pre-cursor and most important enabler for a connected lifestyle.

The multi-media computer supports:
Email & IM
Voice on demand
Video sharing
Music
TV
Presence
Games
Photos

The computer with telephony features is central – At NMC the new era of smartphones was introduced in the N series of devices.

A new member to the N-Series multi-media family of computing devices… the N71 offers a large, bright screen, wireless broadband, 3G and EDGE support, and according to Vanjoki, a browser that will truly make this device an Internet device. The open browser offers a completely new way to browse the web… mini-map technology allows a semi-transparent view to the actual webpage. It also supports RSS feeds allowing true connectivity to the web. The N71 device supports up to 2 GB of memory accessible from mobile operators, the Internet, and the PC. To make it easy for the user, file transfer via USB Mass Storage is supported and one-click access to multi-media functionality is provided. A simple UI for music services, one click multi-media key access, and large memory support make this device very suitable as a music device.

Consider also the DLNA – digital living network alliance which is supporting the joint development of how devices discover and inter-operate with each other. Think of universal plug and play… this is a set of standards for discovery of devices and interoperability – the N80 is the first UPnP supported device. Allows consumers to take all the electronic devices that utilize these standards… e.g. TV, video recorder, etc… with them in a connected and mobile environment. Imagine walking into a home and discoveries are made automatically. The TV says “I am a TV”… streams the video from the mobile device to the TV. Imagine accessing all the video from the mobile device. The source of the material is personal. Imagine sharing music from the device with the stereo… or connect to the computer and use the music from the device on the PC or access the music on your PC from your N80. All your music is available to you and usable to you from your personal mobile multi-media computer… WOW! But wait, there’s even more… Roam the World with 4 GSM bands, WCDMA, EDGE, and integrated Wi-Fi. This enables users to use some of the 150,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots that are out there. This device is a true universal product… and according to Ansi, “it’s a real deal”, at less than $500 unsubsidized I think I’m going to have to agree.

Continuing on with his vision of a connected lifestyle, Vanjoki then discussed how it is now Prime time for mobile TV. TV is an important part of most people’s lives; however, to date we’ve been limited in that we need to go where the TV is located in order to enjoy the service. DVBH is now taking off and numerous trials are under way. Investors are eager to invest in mobile TV and interactive TV. Enter the N92, the World’s first integrated device with DVBH and with all the features of the most sophisticated multi-media computer… in your pocket. The N92 enables simple access to mobile TV while users can also switch channels, replay video, organize channels, watch and browse… very simple. Something Vanjoki made a point of bringing up is a feature that is very unique… the cellular connection and wireless LAN make it a truly interactive device. Everything you have on N71 and everything from the N80 is found on the N92. We’re told to expect the device to be commercially available next year… provided regulations are sorted out.

More about the N92 - The Nokia N92 has four different modes for simple and easy usage. The new view mode is especially designed for watching TV and video. To start watching mobile TV*, users simply need to open the Nokia N92 in view mode and press the Multimedia key. The Electronic Service Guide (ESG) contains information about the available TV channels, programs and services. Other mobile TV features include watching time of up to four hours, recording and 30 seconds replay.

Rounding out the session, Vanjoki describes how it’s not about telephones; it’s about the new digital industry that was started in 2001 with the introduction of the Nokia 7650 - the first multi-media computer. As it turns out, these devices are now part of the fastest growing sector of all computer electronics. Think about it… “My connected life and the multi-media computer”.

Some closing points to ponder:
- A new era in mobility is emerging as categories are being re-defined
- Convergence is key
- Versatility will be seen.

For Nokia, the market for converged devices will double by 2006 with the bulk being seen in the uptake of the new E series of devices, allowing people to do what they want, where they want. Vanjoki tells us that we can expect 7 new smartphones based on S60 3rd edition to start shipping in 2006.

some of the Series 60 3rd edition devices.. coming soon!

Related resources:

• More from NMC here
• Series 60 Platform - Momentum Building
• NMC 2004 - New devices (Nokia's 3230, 6020, & 7710), opportunities, and convergence
• Nokia introduces a new Web browser for S60 3rd Edition
• Series 60, the world's leading smartphone platform, redefines its name and visual identity
• Nokia N70 Symbian OS Smartphone starts shipping
• Nokia Mobility Conference 2004 (NMC)