Nokia has unveiled the Nokia Asha 501 – the 1st device to run on the new Asha platform, designed to make the experience faster and more responsive and also to helps devs. push their applications and monetize them on the Nokia store.
Standout design, innovative user interface – The Nokia Asha 501, available in 6 colours, makes higher-end design and quality accessible to more people. It comes in just two parts: a durable, removable casing and the scratch-resistant glass display, which features a 3inch, capacitive touchscreen and a single ‘back’ button. It weighs 98 grams. The device offers a simple swipe to access everything on 2 main screens-
Home – a traditional, icon-based view for launching individual apps or accessing a specific feature, like the dialler or phone settings
Fastlane – inspired by how people really use their phone i.e. 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.
Product specifications and availability – The Nokia Asha 501 is available in single or EasySwap Dual SIM models and all come with WiFi and Bluetooth. Some other specs on this device are:
- 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 colours: Bright Red, Bright Green, Cyan, Yellow, White and Black
- Suggested pricing is 99 USD before taxes and subsidies – will probably come in for under 10,000 KES
Better personal Internet experiences – the Asha 501 comes with data compressing Nokia Xpress Browser pre-loaded. It also features 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.”
The Nokia Asha 501 has been 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* and is the first smartphone built on the new Asha platform, which leverages Nokia’s investments in “Smarterphone”, a company 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 devs 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.
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 Facebook Mobile. 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. “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.”
There’s a full gallery on My Nokia Blog.
