Nokia has begun shipments of its high-end N8 entertainment smartphone. Based on the new Symbian^3 operating software, the flagship device is designed to enable a more intuitive user experience. The N8 features a 12-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and HD video, a glass 3.5" AMOLED display. It supports multitasking and file-sharing. The smartphone comes pre-loaded with WebTV apps and free Ovi Maps walk & drive navigation for more than 70 countries. The N8, the first of Nokia's new Symbian smartphone range, has received the highest level of consumer pre-orders in Nokia history.

Nokia's latest entertainment smartphone, the highly anticipated Nokia N8 with Ovi services, has started shipping. Customers who have placed a pre-order for the Nokia N8 in Nokia Online Shops and Nokia retail stores will be the first to receive their Nokia N8. Market availability will vary by country and by operator, with broad availability in the coming weeks. 

"With the N8, and the new Symbian software, we are bringing a familiar, faster and more intuitive user experience to the world's most popular smartphone platform. The Nokia N8 has received the highest amount of consumer pre-orders in Nokia history and we are thrilled to start shipments of the N8, the first of Nokia's new Symbian smartphone range," says Jo Harlow, Senior Vice President, Smartphones, Nokia.

"To appeal to today's high-end buyers, smartphones have to be enjoyable, useful and beautiful. Ease of use, excellent multimedia performance and elegant design are all essential elements of the package," says John Delaney, Research Director, IDC.

The first of a series of smartphones based on the new Symbian, the Nokia N8 is fast and easy to use and supports true multitasking, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously and switch between them easily. Dubbed the world's best camera phone, the Nokia N8 lets you take the highest quality photos and shoot HD-quality videos in supreme clarity with the 12MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics. You can edit photos and videos on-screen and choose from multiple ways to share them; transfer large files to an external hard-drive with USB-on-the-go, or upload photos to social networks like Facebook, Twitter or RenRen straight from the homescreen.  All this is delivered in a robust aluminum body in a range of vibrant colors with a real-glass 3.5" AMOLED display. 

The Nokia N8 has a black belt in entertainment. Its WebTV apps from channels like E! Entertainment, National Geographic and CNN and the intuitive music player inject an element of fun into idle moments.  Plug the device to the home entertainment center to watch HD-quality videos from the big screen with full Dolby Digital Plus Surround Sound.  The latest version of Ovi Store, available first on the Nokia N8, gives easy access to more apps - from social networking services like Foursquare to games like Need for Speed Shift or productivity apps like Tesco in the UK.

Like other Nokia smartphones, the Nokia N8 comes with free Ovi Maps walk & drive navigation in more than 70 countries worldwide, with no hidden costs. The latest beta release of Ovi Maps is also available for download from Nokia Beta Labs for the Nokia N8. It features visibility to public transport in 85 cities around the world, as well as real-time traffic, safety camera alerts, visibility to parking and petrol stations, and speed limit warnings.

About Nokia

At Nokia, we are committed to connecting people. We combine advanced technology with personalized services that enable people to stay close to what matters to them. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia device - from mobile phones to advanced smartphones and high-performance mobile computers. Today, Nokia is integrating its devices with innovative services through Ovi (www.ovi.com), including music, maps, apps, email and more. Nokia's NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, while Nokia Siemens Networks provides equipment, services and solutions for communications networks globally.

Samsung and Microsoft Join Forces to Create Windows Phone 7 Handsets

30-Sep-10

www.samsung.com

Samsung plans to release several Windows Phone 7 devices in Europe, the US, and Asia.  The addition of Windows Phone 7 devices to Samsung’s handset line-up is part of its strategy to boost its position in the smartphone market and offer a range of devices across a variety of platforms. The devices based on Windows Phone 7, Microsoft’s revamped version of Windows Mobile, will benefit from its software portfolio, including Xbox LIVE, Office, Zune, Windows Live and Bing.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in mobile technology, today announced an agreement to use the Windows Phone 7 platform and related application software as a key component of the Samsung smartphone portfolio.

The announcement marks Samsung’s long term commitment to including Windows Phone 7 devices in its smartphone portfolio. Samsung plans to launch several Windows Phone 7 devices this year in Europe, the US, and Asia.

“For years, Samsung has been a key partner in bringing new Windows phones to customers all over the world,” said Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President, OEM Division at Microsoft. “Windows Phone 7 is an important release and we look forward to deepening our collaboration with Samsung on mobile devices and beyond, with our multi-screen strategy.”

Simon Stanford, Head of Mobile, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “The addition of Windows Phone 7 devices to Samsung’s smartphone portfolio is a significant milestone. Samsung’s new Windows Phone 7 based smartphones will play a key role in reinforcing Samsung’s leadership in the smartphone market and commitment to providing a range of devices across a variety of platforms.”

Samsung’s Windows Phone 7 smartphones will combine the latest hardware design and technology, while benefitting from Microsoft’s software and innovation heritage. The Windows Phone 7 experience is designed to help people find and consume the data, information and services they care most about. The new phones are distinguished by unique and diverse experiences built from Microsoft’s portfolio such as Xbox LIVE, Office, Zune, Windows Live, Bing, and more.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2009 consolidated sales of US$116.8 billion. Employing approximately 188,000 people in 185 offices across 65 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognised as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs.