Finland Times

The mobile phone manufacturing giant Nokia on Thursday launched its new Smartphone Asha 501 in the India market.

 

The handset pushes the boundaries of affordable Smartphone design with bold colour, a high-quality build, and an innovative user interface, said a press release.

 

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nokia Corporation Stephen Elop holds a Nokia Asha 501 cellular telephone as he addresses an unveiling ceremony in New Delhi on May 9, 2013. The Asha 501,with a three-inch screen, Wi-Fi, internet, camera is expected to go on sale in India and Europe in June, 2013 for approximately USD 99. Photo AFP / Lehtikuva

The Nokia Asha 501 is the first device to run on the new Asha platform, designed to make the experience faster and more responsive.

 

The Asha platform also helps developers create, publish, and make more money from apps made specifically for the new generation of Asha devices.

 

‘Nokia has surpassed expectations of what’s achievable in the sub-100 USD phone category with its new Asha handset that is unlike any other, with design cues from Lumia and a mix of features, services, and affordability that is valued by price-conscious buyers,’ said Global Wireless Practice, Strategy Analytics Executive Director Neil Mawston. ‘This is a welcome addition to the market and a refreshing option for consumers looking to upgrade from feature phones,’ Mawston said.

 

The new Asha platform provides developers with an open, standards-based environment for creating quality apps for consumers. Developers can create apps for the Nokia Asha 501 [3] that will be compatible with future Asha platform-based devices.

 

Many of the most popular applications are already available or in development for the Nokia Asha platform, including CNN, eBuddy, ESPN, Facebook, Foursquare, Line, LinkedIn, Nimbuzz, Pictelligent, The Weather Channel, Twitter, WeChat, World of Red Bull, and games from Electronic Arts, Gameloft, Indiagames, Namco-Bandai, and Reliance Games. WhatsApp and other key partners continue to explore new Asha.

 

‘The new Nokia Asha 501 expands the limit of what is possible at affordable smartphone design and optimisation,’ said Nokia Mobile Phones Executive Vice President Timo Toikkanen.

 

‘The synergy between the physical design and the engine that is the new Asha platform has created a smartphone with both style and substance at a great price,’ he added.