The End Of Nokia - Things You Probably DIdn't Know About the Fallen Giant - iGyaan

Summary

Nokia, once a titan in mobile telephony, began as a paper mill in 1865 and evolved into electronics, military tech, and telephony. They pioneered wireless communication with the Mobira Senator and Cityman, and were instrumental in SMS and GSM technology. Nokia's 3310 and 1100 became iconic, with the latter being the highest-selling phone ever. Despite the Microsoft acquisition, Nokia retains its HERE maps and network businesses. The future of Nokia phones remains uncertain post-acquisition, leaving a legacy of innovation and resilience.

Takeaways

• 📱 Nokia was a dominant player in mobile telephony during the 90s and early 2000s, known for its durable and reliable phones.
• 🏭 Founded in 1865 as a paper mill, Nokia diversified into rubber, electricity, and cables before entering electronics and telecommunications.
• 🔄 Nokia's name originates from the NokianVirta river in Finland, reflecting its deep roots in the country.
• 🏗️ The company initially served the military and government sectors, manufacturing electronics and communication devices from 1960 to 1979.
• 📞 In 1979, Nokia ventured into telephony with the creation of MOBIRA OY and the launch of Nordic Mobile Telephone Services, later known as NMT.
• 💬 Nokia developed the Sanomalaitejärjestelmä, a precursor to SMS, used by the Finnish military for encrypted text messaging.
• 🚗 The MOBIRA SENATOR was Nokia's first car phone, and the MOBIRA CITYMAN was their first portable cell phone, weighing around 800g and costing approximately US$ 6000.
• 💼 Nokia briefly explored personal computing with the MikroMikko, which was later sold to Fujitsu, and the Nokia Booklet 3G in 2009.
• 📷 Nokia was a trendsetter in mobile phone photography, at one point becoming the largest camera supplier in the world due to the cameras in its phones.
• 🏆 The Nokia 1100 holds the record for the highest-selling mobile phone ever, with 250 million units sold.
• 🗺️ Nokia acquired NavteQ to create HERE maps, a leading mapping technology used by various companies including GARMIN, Amazon, and BMW.
• 🔄 Despite the sale of its smartphone business to Microsoft, Nokia retains its HERE maps and Nokia Networks businesses.

Q & A

What was Nokia originally known for before becoming a mobile phone manufacturer?

Nokia originally started as a small paper mill in 1865 and later expanded into rubber, electricity, and cables.

How did Nokia's involvement with the military contribute to its growth?

Nokia's work with the military from 1960 to 1979, manufacturing and developing electronics for military and government use, helped the company become bigger and stronger, laying the foundation for its future endeavors.

What was the significance of the MOBIRA OY joint venture in Nokia's history?

MOBIRA OY, a joint venture with Finnish television maker SALORA, marked Nokia's first steps into telephony in 1979.

Which Nokia device was used by the Finnish military for encrypted text messages?

The Sanomalaitejärjestelmä was a message-based communication device used by the Finnish military to send encrypted text messages.

What was the first wireless communication device installed in a vehicle launched by Nokia?

The MOBIRA SENATOR was the first car phone and wireless communication device ever installed in a vehicle.

What was the significance of the MOBIRA CITYMAN in Nokia's product line?

The MOBIRA CITYMAN, launched in 1987, was the first portable cell phone from Nokia, allowing for mobile calls on the go.

What was the first Nokia device used to make a satellite call?

The first device used to make a satellite call in 1994 was a Nokia device.

How did Nokia popularize mobile phone photography?

Nokia popularized mobile phone photography by incorporating cameras into its mobile phones, at one point becoming the largest camera supplier to the world.

Which Nokia phone holds the record for the highest selling mobile phone ever made?

The Nokia 1100 holds the record for the highest selling mobile phone ever made, with 250 million units sold.

What was the significance of the Nokia 3310 in the mobile phone industry?

The Nokia 3310 was an iconic phone known for its durability and has become a cult favorite, symbolizing the robustness of Nokia's devices.

What was Nokia's first mass-produced phone for general markets?

The Nokia 1011 was the first mass-produced phone for general markets, featuring the ability to hold 99 phone numbers and selling for US$ 1600 at the time.

How did Nokia's acquisition of NavteQ influence its mapping services?

Nokia's acquisition of NavteQ, a Chicago-based mapping company, led to the development of HERE maps, which became one of the largest mapping technologies available in the market.

What was the MeeGo Operating System and what happened to it after Nokia's deal with Microsoft?

The MeeGo Operating System was an OS developed by Nokia. After the Microsoft acquisition, the MeeGo division quit and formed the independent company Jolla, which later launched its first phone.

What is Vertu, and how is it related to Nokia?

Vertu is a luxury division of Nokia that manufactures luxury phones. It remains independent and was not acquired by Microsoft. Vertu has shifted its focus from Symbian to Android smartphones.