The business market for mobile devices continues to grow.LONDON (Reuters) - The world's top cellphone maker Nokia (NOK1V.HE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
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 350 euros ($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 (RIM.TO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) (RIMM.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) 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 Ericsson (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)(ERICb.ST: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), have 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.
(Reporting by Tarmo Virki; Editing by Will Waterman and Quentin Bryar)
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