Nokia answers your questions
Manuel Wenk, cameraman, and I took advantage of the launch party for Nokia's new handsets to talk to Pekka Rantala, Chief Marketing Officer of the Finnish company. We asked him the questions you sent us.
Pekka Rantala is one of Nokia's old handsets. During the launch party for Nokia's new phones - the 3310, Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 - the old handsets were also on show. Even if the great classics, the 3210 and 3310, were conspicuous by their absence, we had the opportunity to hold in our hands the 6210 or the N-Gage, something we hadn't done for over ten years. It was enough to make us nostalgic!
"Ah, I did the marketing for these devices back in the day," says Mr Rantala with a smile. He was there when Nokia was the de facto standard in mobile telephony. Before the company got into bed with Microsoft, missed the transition to smartphones and saw its Windows Phone software fail.
But now let's look to the future. HMD Global Oy is a Finnish start-up that has been active since December 2016. If you take a look at the employees and management, you'll notice that several of them were also among the employees of the old Nokia. They want to give it another go, this time with Android. "I feel like I used to", says Mr Rantala, as Autronic will be responsible for marketing the device in Switzerland. This company has also worked with Nokia in the past, before digitec came along.
The evening is relaxed and conducive to an informal chat with Pekka Rantala. We ask him your questions, dear readers, some of which have been asked several times. The names in the video have been selected at random. You can find the full interview (in English) in the video above.
Joshua Lischetzki: How does Nokia see its future?
Pekka Rantala: Nokia has a long history behind it. We could very well bring back elements of our past, but we are looking to the future. Most of our devices will have completely new designs, while remaining true to the heritage of the Nokia brand.
Norlando Pobre: Why has the original Snake game been replaced by a pale Gameloft imitation that has little to do with the original?
Pekka Rantala: Many customers wanted to see the 3310 reappear. We listened to them, and Snake is part of this great classic. I of course respect Norlando's outspoken opinion, but most customers appreciate the presence of Snake on the 3310.
Michael Sellenath: Don't you know that 2G/GSM is no longer in use? Why is 3G no longer built in [to the 3310]?
Pekka Rantala: Not all the products in our range are aimed at the same markets. Despite the lack of 3G, the 3310 is very popular in Switzerland. It sells everywhere it's sold. So it certainly has its place on the Swiss market.
Sheila Berger: Will Nokia launch another Windows Phone / Windows 10 Mobile phone?
Pekka Rantala: We have no plans to equip our devices with an operating system other than Android.
Clemens Fachinger: I'd like to know (also in a professional capacity) if you're thinking of going back to the classic Nokia sound effects or if you have something completely different planned.
Pekka Rantala: Nokia sound effects come with all devices. We may use other versions, but you'll recognise them. You know, they're part of our brand.
Sandro Hostettler: When will Nokia finally reveal the secret of its extraordinary battery life to other mobile phone manufacturers?
Pekka Rantala: We've acquired a lot of knowledge over the years. So we know exactly how to do it, and we're not done yet. We will continue to increase the autonomy of our batteries.
Nino Grüninger: Why has the key combination that unlocks the phone changed? I'm used to "Menu + *" and I get it wrong all the time!
Pekka Rantala: Yes, I understand. Sometimes we have to evolve, and it's good to keep learning new things. I'm sure we'll all get used to these little changes just fine.
Joby Paikattu: When will the Nokia 3, 5 and 6 be available in Switzerland? Is a high-end smartphone also planned (a rumoured Nokia 9)?
Editor's note: the devices are available now.
Pekka Rantala: Good question. We are launching three smartphones on the market, but we have identified prospects for expanding our product range in all categories. We will also be present in the flagship sector, but we cannot reveal when. .
Stefan Zaugg: Is a version 2.0 of the 3310 with 3G and firmware that supports WhatsApp planned to endure in the market?
Pekka Rantala: Current demand clearly shows that millions of customers find the 3310 perfect. However, we don't rule out launching a feature phone with WhatsApp support one day.
Antonio Mustapic: Will there be Android updates?
Pekka Rantala: We follow the motto "Pure, secure and up to date". We work with Android Stock; so the software on all our smartphones is always up to date. Security updates are offered every month.
Ying-Kai Dang: Is this model also indestructible?
Pekka Rantala: We are very happy with the quality of the 3310. It's very durable, and I promise you that it meets Nokia's quality requirements.
Editor's note: don't miss the toughness test conducted by a Belgian TV channel (in Flemish) that Mr Rantala mentioned during the press conference.
Balàzs Csàkvàri: What about music? What about Spotify?
Pekka Rantala: Yes, Spotify. Good service, good music. I use it too. It's nice to have the choice on Android. We don't have any software pre-installed on our phone and leave the choice to our users.
Michelle Oehri, Marketing Manager, and I will now answer the questions we weren't able to ask Pekka Rantala.
Zymeri Elhami: I love the 3310, where can I buy it?
Michelle Oehri: There you go!
Grosso FrancescoeRita: DOES THE NOKIA 3310 HAVE A 16 MP PHOTO CAMERA? WHAT IS ITS OPERATING SYSTEM? HOW MANY GB OF MEMORY DOES IT HAVE? HOW BIG IS IT? IN ANY CASE; IT LOOKS GREAT, JUST LIKE ITS PREDECESSOR.
Dominik Bärlocher: I think you've locked the caps on your keyboard. The phone's technical specifications can be found in our shop at the bottom of this article. It would be silly to have to wait several days for answers you can find yourself in a few seconds, wouldn't it?
Vreni Karrer: My lover loves this Nokia model, and he's really happy that the 3310 is back on the market. I'd love to win one as a present.
Dominik Bärlocher: I didn't know there was a competition. Michelle, can you give us some information?
Michelle Oehri: (She laughs.) As far as I know, there is no competition, and none is planned. Next question.
Jnge Wild: It was my first mobile phone. It was easy to use, excellent quality, and felt good in the hand. I'd take it back straight away.
Dominik Bärlocher: Magnificent! It's true that it was a great phone. He's still so cool. What was your best score in Snake?
Matthias Wenzel: What other devices are there besides the Nokia?
Michelle Oehri: 780 different mobile phones are currently in our shop. You're sure to find something to suit you.
Faruk Secme: Why hasn't the old version of Snake been reinstalled (or programmed, I'm not sure how that works)?
Dominik Bärlocher: The new version of Snake has more game modes. Survival mode is the one that most closely resembles the classic game. It also has a few extra elements. The chisel shortens your snake, the bomb kills, the magnet attracts the apple, and walls sometimes appear. I hate those walls.
Thomas Tom Neeser: Why is the cult game Snake now called "Schlange" on the Nokia 3310?
Dominik Bärlocher: Maybe it's down to translation. Mine has kept its name, but I've set it up so that everything is displayed in English.
Cheav Rith: I pay 7 francs per device.
Dominik Bärlocher: Great!
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