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SINGAPORE: The Finnish mobile handset maker Nokia is making a push to grow its share of the smartphone market globally.
As part of the effort, it will launch three new multimedia phones in Singapore and the region later this year.
Nokia is seeking to fight off competition from the likes of Apple, Sony Ericsson and HTC.
Consumers are spoilt for choice when it comes to hi-tech phones. Many handphones now boast of high-end camera capabilities, faster online access and music on the move.
But with growing competition, some industry-watchers said the multimedia market for such elevated devices may be slowing down, as consumers become tired of the one-up options and wait for the next hot trend.
But Nokia is preferring to dial a different number.
Grant McBeath, general manager, Nokia Singapore, said: "Consumers are engaging their device with more data, more browsing and converged services. That’s extremely relevant for markets like Singapore, Australia and New Zealand to start with.
"But as for Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia, whose markets become more developed, those devices just go right through the system so there is a core consumer base."
According to the leading global handset maker, the recent smart phone 360 survey showed there is strong demand for convergence devices, with consumers spending 88 per cent of phone usage time on browsing online, sharing pictures, or map navigation.
And Nokia is seeking to tap into the growing demand. Its phones have a strong line-up of multimedia features such as live TV, and a five mega-pixel camera which Nokia hopes will bring it to the forefront of the global convergence market.
Mr McBeath continued: "Obviously the converged space is very competitive and Nokia is at the forefront of that. We have over 40 per cent global market share in the smart phones.
"So with the recent launch of the E71, the Nokia N79, N85, and 96, we will see more devices coming to the market, raising the bar and providing consumer internet services to consumers."
Nokia said another growing trend is social networking, which is the third most popular online application, taking up over 20 per cent of global mobile consumer surf time. - CNA/vm
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