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Opinion: Winning with Windows: Why the Lumia 800 signals the return of Nokia

Daring to be different

Opinion: Winning with Windows: Why the Lumia 800 signals the return of Nokia
I've found the supposed 'demise' of Nokia hard to take in recent years.

Growing up, I went through a succession of Nokia handsets. I was the very definition of a loyal customer, though it wasn't something I thought about too much – I, and virtually everyone I knew, went from Nokia phone to Nokia phone almost by default.

The reason? Nokia phones were the smartest looking and the best to use. I struggled to comprehend why anyone would pick up a Motorola or an Ericsson, with their awkward designs and frankly frightening menu systems.

Even in Symbian's early days, it was far easier to navigate your way around a Nokia handset than the majority of its rivals, which often came with instruction manuals so large, they served better as a hefty doorstop.

The change, of course, came with the advent of iPhone.

The Symbian slip

Ever since 2007, Symbian - and by definition Nokia - has been on a slow and steady decline, both in terms of market share, and usability.

While iOS, Android and latterly Windows Phone made smartphone navigation more manageable, Symbian morphed into a complex beast with about as much sophistication as a particularly program-laden copy of Windows 95.

Nokia's decision to pull away from Symbian in February was a welcome, if somewhat overdue, move.

In the space of a few years, Nokia has transitioned from a smart and sleek mobile giant used to existing on the bleeding edge in terms of handset design to the safe, but ultimately stale, option, akin to a mid-range Vauxhall in terms of desirability.

Of course, as stunning as the recently unveiled Lumia 800 is – and, I'll say it now, for my money it's the most attractive smartphone handset on the market – Nokia's resurgence in phone design at least began with the N8.

The MeeGo-equipped N9 took those ideals further, culminating in the Lumia 800.

Third time lucky

Of course, cynics will ask, given both the aforementioned N8 and N9 hardly set the world alight – the latter's release severely restricted thanks to MeeGo's downfall – why should the Lumia 800 be any different?

What makes the firm's first Windows Phone feel like a big step forward for Nokia is that it represents the meeting of two matching minds. Physically, Lumia 800 looks like an entirely different beast from the competition.

As one developer pointing out to me today, sat on the shelves next to the largely faceless black plastic boxes all aping iPhone, it's going to stand out.

Windows Phone itself is nothing like either of its two major rivals, iOS and Android. Indeed, that's a factor that has arguably caused Microsoft some difficulty during the platform's first year – problems communicating the adeptness of the operating system's UI has undoubtedly had an impact on early sales.

Combined together, both hardware and software slot into place like two perfectly formed Lego blocks.

Indeed, it's the kind of phone Steve Jobs would have appreciated, and actually encouraged Apple's rivals to serve up – a device that does its own thing, breaks away from the iOS mold in every respect, and is unlikely to trouble those working within Apple's legal department.

Nok Nok

There's little chance, of course, that Lumia 800 will result in a turnaround overnight. Be prepared for negative headlines when the first shipment figures reveal – surprise, surprise – it hasn't toppled iPhone in terms of sales.

But, to see Nokia reclaim its crown as a style icon – something CEO Stephen Elop revealed at Nokia World 2011 has been the Finnish firm's aim since he took charge – is more than encouraging.

Whether or not Lumia 800 turns out to be a turning point for Nokia in terms of market share remains to be seen, but the company is now at least playing to its strengths, serving up a handset different by design.

Finally, Nokia seems like it's comfortable in its own skin again – the confidence clear to see to anyone who sampled Elop's Nokia World 2011 keynote.

Regaining the ground it's lost over the course of the last five years or so isn't going to be easy, but a return to its roots in design is a good place to start.

Nokia's back.




With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.