Nokia introduces the clearly beautiful Nokia Asha 502 in Malaysia

Combines unique design with 5MP camera and a more social Fastlane

Kuala Lumpur, 22 November 2013 – Nokia today announced that the new Nokia Asha 502 Dual SIM, a new addition to the Asha Platform family of smartphones, is now available for purchase in Malaysia. The new phone pushes the boundaries of affordable smartphone innovation with a unique layered design, a five megapixel camera with LED flash, and the Fastlane home screen that is more deeply integrated with social networks. Built with the Nokia hallmarks of manufacturing quality and outstanding battery life, the new phone offers compelling new experiences for just RM319.

“The Nokia Asha 501, launched mid year, was very well received in the market due to its striking design, durability, affordability, and accessibility with Fastlane,” said Dick Yoong, Country Manager Malaysia and Brunei, Nokia. “The latest addition to the Asha family, the Asha 502, pushes the boundaries of a budget smartphone even further with a stunning design, great social apps, and new imaging experiences  which offers consumers more for less. The budget-friendly Nokia Asha 502 will place smartphone technology within reach of millions of consumers.”

Standout design at an affordable price
The new Nokia Asha 502 features a layered design, achieved using the ‘dual shot’ technique which is unique to Nokia. It combines an inner layer of bold, bright colour surrounded by an outer layer of crystal-clear  transparency. The combination adds a distinctive look to the phone’s monobody design, as well as durability. The high-end design brought to the Nokia Asha 502’s price point is a clear differentiator, as are the craftsmanship and attention to detail.  

Smarter imaging: one swipe to capture, one touch to share
The Nokia Asha 502 is one of the first Asha Platform devices with a built-in five megapixel camera with LED flash and features a full-touch display and fully redesigned user interface. Swipe is the main gesture for navigating the phone – whether answering a call, viewing notifications or closing an app. Swipe also activates the built-in camera: just swipe up from the lock screen to start the camera and touch anywhere on-screen to take a photo. The camera experience is also more social, with the option to post an image to Facebook or Twitter with just one touch.

The Nokia Asha 502 features Easy Swap Dual SIM, a unique-to-Nokia innovation that allows people to switch between SIM cards on the go, to get better tariffs or alternate between SIM cards for SMS, voice and data, without having to turn off the device. It also comes with a 4GB micro SD memory card in-box, and can be expanded to accommodate up to 32GB of external memory.

An even more social Asha with live updates and WhatsApp
Fastlane is the unique, second screen that acts as a shortcut to the phone’s recently accessed apps, features and content, as well as future activity, such as calendar appointments. It’s the fastest way to access an app in its last state, as well as being the social hub of the new Nokia Asha 502. Deeper integration with social networks now enables live updates, which alert people to likes and comments through notifications on Fastlane. By clicking on the Fastlane item with new notifications, people will be directed to the relevant post, so they never miss an important update. Fastlane can be further personalised and made more private by selecting what content can appear on-screen, and by deleting unwanted Fastlane items, on the go.

For the first time, WhatsApp will also be available to Asha Platform devices, starting with the Nokia Asha 501 in the fourth quarter 2013, with support for new devices like the Nokia Asha 502 coming later. WhatsApp joins other popular chat and messaging apps already available for Asha Platform devices, such as WeChat, Line, eBuddy and Nimbuzz. Thousands more free apps, games and content items are available on Nokia Store.

Additional product information for Nokia Asha 502
• Display: 3” QVGA screen
• Weight: 100g (including battery)
• Standby time: up to 24 days
• Network: 2G
• Camera: 5MP camera with flash
• Other: Bluetooth 3.0 with SLAM
• Suggested retail price: RM 319
• Available colours: bright red, yellow and black

Nokia Introduces the Nokia Asha 210, the Most Social Asha Yet

Kuala Lumpur – 11 June 2013 – Nokia today announces the arrival of the Nokia Asha 210 in Malaysia. The device is designed to offer consumers more social experiences at an affordable price. The Nokia Asha 210 will be sold at a RRP of RM219 and is set to reach the stores at the end of June in the Klang Valley, and early July for the rest of Malaysia. Selected stores in East Malaysia will also be offering this device.

A fast and responsive QWERTY phone with a customizable “Social” key button.

The Nokia Asha 210 is available in an Easy Swap Dual-SIM model which features a distinctly Nokia design and smart imaging that sets it apart from the crowd. It supports Wi-Fi to help people enjoy more of the Internet for less.

Your social life at your fingertips

The Nokia Asha 210 has a QWERTY keyboard and a customizable “Social”key button which allows for direct access to either Facebook, Whatsapp,

Twitter or the Nokia Xpress Browser. Combined with Facebook, Twitter and support for popular email accounts such as Gmail, the Nokia Asha 210 is designed to ensure that people are never more than a few clicks away from their friends and family.

Capture and share great images every time

The Nokia Asha 210 comes with a 2MP camera that can be accessed through a dedicated hardkey even when the keypad is locked. The smart camera also offers a choice of image capture, editing and sharing options, including:

- Self-portrait - for perfectly centred self portraits, even without a frontfacing camera. The built-in voice guides the user to ensure they are in the frame, before taking the shot.

- Fast editing of images directly from the camera app and easy sharing of images to social networks.

People can also share photos and other content quickly by using Nokia's innovative Slam feature, which comes built-into the Nokia Asha 210. It works by enabling the transfer of content such as images or videos to another Bluetooth-enabled phone without the need to pair devices.

The Nokia Asha 210 really stands out giving super-social consumers new ways to express their personalities through design, colour and innovations and has been designed to allow people to easily update their social networks, stay in touch with friends and share user created content.

The new device also takes full advantage of the Nokia Xpress Browser which uses Nokia's cloud technology to reduce data consumption by up to 90 percent, helping people enjoy more affordable Internet access. The Nokia Asha 210 also features Nokia Nearby, a web app that lets people discover points of interest such as restaurants, shopping and ATM machines close to their location.

The Nokia Asha 501 is Here!

Watch out for its innovative user interface, bold color and high-quality build on the new Asha platform

Kuala Lumpur – 11 June 2013 -The latest member of the Asha smartphones family, the Nokia Asha 501, has made its way to Malaysia after its recent unveiling at New Delhi, India.

The Nokia Asha 501 will be priced at a RRP of RM299. This device is set to go on sale in the Klang Valley at the end of June, and early July for the rest of Malaysia. Selected stores in East Malaysia will also be offering this device.

Standout design, innovative user interface

The Nokia Asha 501 makes high-end design and quality accessible to more people. The device is available in a choice of six striking colours that complement the elegant design. It comes in just two parts: a durable, removable casing and the scratch-resistant glass display, which features a three-inch, capacitive touchscreen and a single 'back' button. The compact new Asha weighs only 98 grams, for the ultimate portability.

The Nokia Asha 501 is built to make it easier for people to access everything they love, with a simple swipe and a choice of two main screens: Home and Fastlane. Home is a traditional, icon-based view for launching individual apps or accessing a specific feature, like the dialler or phone settings. The new Fastlane view was inspired by how people really use their phone. Recently accessed contacts, social networks and apps, unique to each person, are stored and presented in Fastlane. It provides a record of how the phone is used, giving people a glimpse of their past, present and future activity, and helping them multi-task by providing easy access to their favorite features.

Smarter and more personal Internet experiences

The new Asha comes with Nokia Xpress Browser pre-loaded, which compresses Internet data by up to 90%. This is aimed at making mobile browsing faster and more affordable. Nokia Xpress Now, a new Web application that recommends content based on location, preferences and trending topics will also be available via the Browser homepage or as a download from Nokia Store.

Asha platform for next-generation family of devices

The new Nokia Asha 501 was purposebuilt to give people the best possible mobile experiences at an affordable price. It is highly efficient, with an industry-leading standby time of up to 26 days. The Asha 501 is the first smartphone built on the new Asha platform, which leverages Nokia's investments in Smarterphone, a company which Nokia acquired in 2012.

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 that will be compatible with future Asha platform-based devices. Nokia gives developers the chance to make more money through the global reach of Nokia Store and tools like Nokia In-App Payment and Nokia Advertising Exchange (NAX), as well as Nokia's unparalleled operator billing network.

Many of the most popular applications are already available or in development for the Nokia Asha platform, including Facebook, Foursquare, Line, LinkedIn, Nimbuzz, Pictelligent, The Weather Channel, Twitter and games from Electronic Arts, Gameloft, Indiagames, Namco-Bandai and Reliance Games.

The HERE experience, based on Nokia's leading location-based platform, will also be available as a download for the Nokia Asha 501, starting in Q3 2013 and will initially include basic mapping services.

The new Nokia Asha 501 raises the bar for what is possible in affordable smartphone design and optimization. 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.

WeChat Now Available for Nokia Asha Smartphones

30th May 2013 – WeChat, a leading innovative mobile social communication application, is now available on the Nokia Asha Touch family of smartphones.

“We are delighted to bring WeChat to Nokia Asha Touch smartphones to further extend the reach of this leading mobile social app. Nokia Asha Touch smartphone users can now enjoy a new way to connect for free with WeChat. Our mission is providing the best possible user experience. While we aim to offer state of the art functions, we also focus on maximizing service quality. We are excited about the launch and Nokia Asha Touch smartphone users will be pleased by the performance and experience brought by WeChat” said Dennis Hau, Head of Product Center, International Business Group, Tencent.

“Social networking and messaging apps have gained great popularity amongst Nokia Asha consumers who like to be socially active while on the go,” said Jarmo Jokinen, Head of Mobile Phone Services, Messaging, Nokia. “We’re excited about Tencent’s support to launch WeChat for Nokia Asha smartphones. WeChat enriches the Nokia Asha user experience and we look forward to working closely with Tencent to bring even more innovative WeChat features to our customers in the Asha smartphones and in a large number of new and in-market Series 40 devices”

WeChat for Nokia Asha Touch Smartphones comes with its signature “Hold-to-Talk” feature which allows users to send voice messages over a mobile or data network. Users can also chat with a maximum of 40 friends online through WeChat’s group chat feature.

Designed to easily chat with friends or to connect with people from all around the world, WeChat enables users to add friends through various methods including connecting via phone books and WeChat ID.

As a precautionary measure to safeguard the privacy of WeChat users, only friends who are granted permission to connect will be able to communicate to the users. Against the backdrop of security and privacy concerns on social media, these measures leave users with a peace of mind, and ensure that users are sharing and interacting only with fellow users who are trusted contacts.

The application is available for download in Nokia Store and official WeChat website.

Nokia introduces the Nokia Asha 501

Nokia Asha 501 and Asha platform reinvent the affordable smartphone category

Kuala Lumpur – 9 May 2013 – Nokia today unveiled the first of a new family of Asha smartphones with the introduction of the Nokia Asha 501. The handset pushes the boundaries of affordable smartphone design with bold color, a high-quality build and an innovative user interface. The Nokia Asha 501 is the first device to run on the new Asha platform, which is designed to make the experience faster and more responsive. The Asha platform also helps developers to create, publish and make more money from apps made specifically for the new generation of Asha devices.

Standout design, innovative user interface  

The Nokia Asha 501 makes high-end design and quality accessible to more people. The device is available in a choice of six striking colours that complement the elegant design. It comes in just two parts: a durable, removable casing and the scratch-resistant glass display, which features a three-inch, capacitive touchscreen and a single ‘back’ button. The compact new Asha weighs only 98 grams, for the ultimate portability.

The Nokia Asha 501 is built to make it easier for people to access everything they love, with a simple swipe and a choice of two main screens: Home and Fastlane. Home is a traditional, icon-based view for launching individual apps or accessing a specific feature, like the dialler or phone settings. The new Fastlane view was inspired by how people really use their phone. Recently accessed contacts, social networks and apps, unique to each person, are stored and presented in Fastlane. It provides a record of how the phone is used, giving people a glimpse of their past, present and future activity, and helping them multi-task by providing easy access to their favorite features.

Smarter and more personal Internet experiences

The new Asha comes with Nokia Xpress Browser pre-loaded, which compresses Internet data by up to 90%. This is aimed at making mobile browsing faster and more affordable. Nokia also announced the availability of Nokia Xpress Now, a new Web application that recommends content based on location, preferences and trending topics. It will be available via the Browser homepage or as a download from Nokia Store.

“Nokia has surpassed expectations of what’s achievable in the sub-100 USD phone category with a 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 Neil Mawston, executive director, Global Wireless Practice, Strategy Analytics. “This is a welcome addition to the market and a refreshing option for consumers looking to upgrade from feature phones.”

Asha platform for next-generation family of devices  

The new Nokia Asha 501 was purpose-built to give people the best possible mobile experiences at an affordable price. It is highly efficient, with an industry-leading standby time of up to 48 days*. The Nokia Asha 501 is the first smartphone built on the new Asha platform, which leverages Nokia’s investments in Smarterphone, a company which Nokia acquired in 2012.  

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 that will be compatible with future Asha platform-based devices. Nokia gives developers the chance to make more money through the global reach of Nokia Store and tools like Nokia In-App Payment and Nokia Advertising Exchange (NAX), as well as Nokia’s unparalleled operator billing network.

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 HERE experience, based on Nokia’s leading location-based platform, will also be available as a download for the Nokia Asha 501, starting in Q3 2013 and will initially include basic mapping services.

“The new Nokia Asha 501 raises the bar for what is possible in affordable smartphone design and optimization,” said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “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.”  

Facebook and global operators to support Nokia Asha 501 with free data plans

The Nokia Asha 501 is expected to start shipping in June 2013. It is expected to be available through approximately 60 operators and distributors in more than 90 countries worldwide.

“We are very happy to offer the new Nokia Asha 501 through our subsidiaries in the continent. We are certain that this innovative device will follow the successful footprint of the Nokia Asha family, combining affordability with the best communication and Internet browsing capabilities,” said Marco Quatorze, director, Value Added Services, America Movil.

A leading operator in the Asia-Pacific region, Telkomsel is also supporting the arrival of the new Nokia Asha. “The Nokia Asha 501 will help us to boost the mobile Internet in Indonesia. It is powered by innovations like the Nokia Xpress Browser, based on a very efficient data compression technology which allows us to offer the best data plan tariff for people,” said Alistair Johnston, chief marketing officer, Telkomsel. “We have a billing agreement with Nokia that supports the creation of local applications that are absolutely relevant to Indonesian consumers.”  

The popularity of the Nokia Asha family has also prompted innovative approaches to bundled mobile services. Nokia, Facebook and mobile network operator Airtel announced they have joined forces to offer data-free access to the standalone Facebook app, as well as the mobile site m.facebook.com. By the end of the second quarter, current Airtel subscribers in Africa and India** will be able to enjoy unlimited, data-free access to Facebook from their Nokia Asha 501 for a limited period of time.

Commenting on the partnership, Andre Beyers, chief marketing officer of Airtel Africa said: “The collaboration with Nokia is in line with our strategy of enabling people to access data in Africa as we seek to bridge the digital divide across the continent. We’re already witnessing tremendous growth in data use across the 17 countries where we operate. The provision of free Facebook access is an excellent proposition to the millions of Airtel consumers. We are extremely delighted to partner with Nokia to give our consumers an even better mobile experience.”  

Telkomsel will provide a specific Nokia Telkomsel Asha data plan that offers up to 500 MB of data use and includes 60 minutes of calls and 60 SMSs. The company will also provide a one month free data plan to consumers using Nokia Asha 501 that can be used for all mobile Internet activities, including access to Facebook or downloading apps.

“This bundle is a great way to discover Facebook on your Nokia Asha and enjoy the experience for longer without worrying about data charges,” said Vaughan Smith, VP, Mobile Partnerships, Facebook. “Working in close partnership with Nokia and global operators made this offer possible and we are excited to help connect the world on Facebook.”

MTN, a leading operator across Africa, said it will also offer the Nokia Asha 501 and ease access to Facebook. “We are excited to support this initiative with Facebook in Nigeria and Zambia, and we are looking forward to expanding it to other markets," says Pieter Verkade, group chief commercial officer, MTN.

Product specifications and availability

The Nokia Asha 501is available in single or EasySwap Dual SIM models. All come with WiFi and Bluetooth. Other specifications:

·         Dimensions:  99.2 x 58 x 12.1 mm; 98 grams

·         Camera: 3.2 MP

·         Single SIM standby time: up to 48 days***

·         Dual SIM standby time: up to 26 days***

·         Talk time: up to 17 hours

·         Additional memory of 4GB (card included in box), expandable up to 32GB

·         Forty free EA Games worth €75 downloadable from Nokia Store

·         Available colors: Bright Red, Bright Green, Cyan, Yellow, White and Black

·         Suggested pricing is 99 USD before taxes and subsidies.