Nokia - Art Meets State-of-the-Art: Exquisite Materials, Distinctive Details Unite to Create a Mobile Icon - the Nokia 8801 - Press Releases - Press - About Nokia
What's really surprising is that it's a
0Series 40 phone. All those great features would have been so much better if it ran Symbian.
Espoo, Finland - Drawing
upon modern watchmaking and jewelry techniques, Nokia has unveiled a
truly inspired mobile phone for today's connoisseurs of quality and
taste. Encased in a slim stainless steel body, the Nokia 8801 subtly
glides open to reveal a number of distinctive details, each
meticulously considered and researched to complement the prestige and
quality of the device. To heighten the experience, the Nokia 8801
features exclusive audio accompaniment, including all ring tones and
alerts, by award-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. This attention to
detail continues Nokia's heritage of premium mobile phones that have
set the industry standard for elegance and performance.
With a Zen-like goal to balance form and
functionality, the guiding principle of Nokia's designers and engineers
was to create a truly modern mobile phone, the epitome of style and
elegance, which would be a pleasure to use and a delight to behold. The
organic flowing lines and dynamic surfaces perfectly complement the
stainless steel and resin materials -- steel for its tensile strength
and durability, and resin for its organic properties. The result is an
elegant, 'human' design, comprised of materials destined to age with
grace.
Finding inspiration in non-traditional sources,
Nokia designers employed modern watch-making techniques, such as the
use of metal injection molding on the function keys. A specially
reinforced glass used in luxury timepieces provides added toughness and
scratch-resistance to the front display, and even the Nokia marque has
been chemically etched on the back plate using a process typically used
by watchmakers.
The 'pop-up' mechanism of the Nokia 8801 is another
study in functional design. Using a bi-stable spring mechanism and
stainless steel ball bearings, like those used in high-performance
automobiles, the keypad of the Nokia 8801 gracefully glides from its
protective casing, revealing a hidden camera on the back.
The aural accompaniment of the Nokia 8801 is equally
inspired. Award-winning composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto
was commissioned to compose the ringtones and alerts. Throughout his
distinguished career, Sakamoto has crossed musical and technological
boundaries, experimenting with different musical styles and making a
name for himself in popular, orchestral and film music.
Inspired by its modern lines and organic curves,
Sakamoto has produced a musical accompaniment for the Nokia 8801 that
captures an essence and emotion that touches both heart and mind. His
creation draws on his vision of the Nokia 8801 user -- a world citizen
constantly on the move, making an impression in a grayscale world and
through great cities such as New York, Paris, Sydney and Shanghai.
"Subtlety and refinement are requirements of modern
high design, appealing to consumers who place a high value in quality
and attention to detail," explains Frank Nuovo, Nokia's Chief Designer.
"We believe the Nokia 8801 belongs in this pantheon of iconic
products - a sophisticated mobile communication device that
quietly earns a nod of appreciation and admiration from other
connoisseurs of fine taste."
The Nokia 8801 is expected to begin shipping in
select markets during the third quarter of 2005. Today in Melbourne,
Australia and Marrakech, Morocco, Nokia introduced the Nokia 8800, a
new device that shares the same premium design details and features,
but is designed expressly for the Asia/Europe market. The Nokia 8800 is
expected to begin shipping in the second quarter of 2005. The Nokia
Wireless Stereo Headset, also introduced today, is expected to begin
shipping in the third quarter of 2005.
