The Nokia campaign dubbed “Connecting the next billion” is aimed at making sure the Finnish giant hooks up even the old mama in the village to get connected. Its in that spirit that Nokia chose Nairobi, Kenya to launch the two lowest priced phones from the Nokia portfolio, the Nokia 100 and Nokia 101. Packed with very easy to use and the the most basic features, the two phones come with nifty icons to ensure ease of use to the most of illiterate of phone users.
The Nokia 100 is for the basic user, with standing out icons to make sure the user gets what they want easily, FM radio, bright colours and a very light to the feel phone. This is the lowest priced of Nokia phones.
Nokia 101 makes 5 the number of dual sim phones that Nokia has launched in the last three months. It features FM radio, mp3 player with very loud music output, 3.5mm jack, 16 GB microSD capacity. Misses one basic element, a browser. Calin Turcanu, Head of Mobile Phones, Middle East and Africa told me in an interview that the aim here is to ensure that the most basic user is connected, any other features will come to other phones and users can buy as a matter of choice. He also added that Series 40 is here to stay and Nokia values that range and will strive to make it have the best possible of features. He noted that they have already spiced up Series 40 with touch and type, qwerty keypad and a revamped browser. Ms Mary McDowell, Executive Vice President, Mobile Phones at Nokia said that 40% of apps on ovi store are meant for Series 40 phones. This is to show the commitment Nokia has towards Series 40.
Both the Nokia 101 and Nokia 100 offer Nokia Life Tools (selected markets) and Nokia Money (in India), providing instant access to locally-relevant information on healthcare, education, agriculture and entertainment. Standby time is 30 days. Yes you heard that right.
Pricing and Availability
The Nokia 101 will be available in the third quarter of 2011 for about 25 euros (USD 35) and comes in Phantom Black and Coral Red.The Nokia 100 will be available in the fourth quarter of 2011 for about 20 euros (USD 30) and comes in a range of vibrant colors including Legion Blue, Festival Pink, Ocean Blue, Phantom Black and Coral Red.
