[fb-exchange] Farewell, Nokia: The most weird and wonderful phones from its history
- From: "Dominique Farrell" <hollyandopal@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <"Undisclosed-Recipient:;"@freelists.org>
- Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:36:11 -0000
Microsoft began ushering in a new mobile phone era last week by phasing out the
Nokia branding from its flagship devices.
The Finnish firm changed the face of telecommunications over the latest three
decades with devices that pioneered features now considered industry standard.
Nokia may have brought mobile phones to the masses with the reliable 3310 and
set the standards in smartphone photography with the Lumia 1020, but the firm
has also released some downright bizarre handsets over the years.
With the brand destined for a software-only future, we have rounded up the best
and worst creations ever to leave Nokia's doors.
The best of Nokia
1. Nokia 3310
The fundamentals of what makes a good mobile phone have changed little over the
years, with class-leading specs, a robust design and an intuitive user
interface still the holy trinity.
Although the Nokia 3310 is a humble device by today's standards, it was
developed during an era when smartphones as we know them were the stuff of
science fiction. Back then, it ticked all of those boxes and more.
Mobile phones were not as widespread at the turn of the millennium, but those
who had one were usually two things - Nokia 3310 owners and Snake 2 addicts.
2. Nokia N95
Released in early 2007, the Nokia N95 faced fierce competition in the shape of
Apple's much-hyped iPhone, but it took the fight to Cupertino with arguably the
most impressive feature set around.
The Nokia N95 boasted GPS support, an MP3 player, WiFi and 3G connectivity, and
a 5-megapixel camera backed up by a flash.
Although owners of the original iPhone looked on in envy as N95 users browsed
the web over 3G and snapped photos with the aid of a flash, consumers soon
turned their backs on raw power in favour of more intuitive user interfaces.
3. Nokia Lumia 1020
The Nokia Lumia 1020 may have been released more than a year ago, but it still
leads the way where smartphone photography is concerned thanks to the inclusion
of its monster 41-megapixel camera.
Backed up by optical image stabilization (OIS) and a high resolution f/2.2
all-aspherical 1-group Carl Zeiss lens, this snap-happy handset is capable of
producing output that could be mistaken for the work of a DSLR.
The device also comes bundled with a host of dedicated photography apps,
including Smart Cam and Pro Cam, making it the complete package for those
seeking a replacement for their compact camera.
4. Nokia 7710
It's a stretch to say the Nokia 7710 is among the Finnish phone maker's best
work, but as the company's first all-touchscreen device, it's a product of
historic significance.
This one was a true hybrid that falls into the oddball category. Nokia
attempted to please everyone, from power users to entertainment junkies, and
although the results were mixed, it offered one of the best mobile internet
experiences of its generation.
The Nokia 7710 was a gamble that didn't quite pay off, but it's also an example
of the firm's willingness to think outside the box and try new things -
qualities that are too often lacking in the modern phone industry.
5. Nokia 3250
The Nokia 3250 is another example of the firm's ability to innovate, take
risks, and deliver mobile phones unlike any other on the market.
The handset sported an unusual 'twist' design that saw its traditional keypad
transform into a camera, and came with a wide range of accessories.
It was also geared towards music lovers, with physical playback controls, a
built-in FM radio and microSD support for storing up to 500 songs.
And the worst...
1. Nokia N-Gage
The N-Gage was Nokia's ill-fated attempt to seize a slice of slice of the
gaming market and lure users away from the Game Boy Advance with the promise of
more powerful hardware and mobile phone functionality.
Unfortunately, the N-Gage failed as both a mobile phone and a games console
thanks to physical buttons that were ill-equipped for play sessions and its
off-putting, taco-like design.
The N-Gage was released in 2003, but Nokia's gaming ambitions stretched far
beyond that. Following the release of a second-gen model in 2004, Nokia moved
its N-Gage capabilities to its mobile phone range and supported the service
until 2009.
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