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.

Outlines

00:00

📱 The Evolution of Nokia: From Paper Mill to Mobile Giant

The first paragraph outlines Nokia's journey from a small paper mill in 1865 to a dominant force in mobile telephony. Initially involved in rubber, electricity, and cables, Nokia expanded into electronics in the 1960s, working closely with the military. It ventured into telephony in 1979 with the creation of MOBIRA OY and the launch of the first wireless communication device, the MOBIRA SENATOR. Nokia introduced the first portable cell phone, the MOBIRA CITYMAN, in 1987, and was instrumental in the development of SMS and mobile phone photography. The company also set sales records with models like the Nokia 1100 and 3310, and was a trendsetter in mobile technology, including the first GSM call and the popularization of mobile phone cameras.

05:04

🌐 Nokia's Legacy and Future: HERE Maps, MeeGo, and Vertu

The second paragraph discusses Nokia's transition and legacy after the smartphone era. It highlights the company's acquisition of NavteQ, which led to the development of HERE maps, a leading mapping technology used by various industries. The paragraph also touches on the MeeGo operating system, which was a result of Nokia's collaboration with Microsoft and the subsequent formation of the independent company Jolla. Additionally, it mentions Vertu, Nokia's luxury phone division, which shifted from Symbian to Android smartphones. The paragraph concludes with a contemplation of Nokia's future after its agreement with Microsoft, questioning the持续性 of the Lumia brand and Nokia's potential return to the mobile market.

Keywords

💡Nokia

Nokia is a Finnish multinational telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics company. In the video, Nokia is presented as a household name synonymous with mobile telephony and smartphones during the 90s. It started as a paper mill and expanded into various industries including electronics, telephony, and mobile manufacturing. The video highlights Nokia's significant role in the evolution of mobile communication, with its devices like the MOBIRA SENATOR and the Nokia 3310 becoming iconic.

💡Lumia

Lumia refers to a series of smartphones designed and marketed by Nokia, in collaboration with Microsoft. The Lumia series marked Nokia's shift to Windows Phone operating system. The video discusses the launch of Lumia phones as a turning point that led to the end of Nokia's era as a smartphone company, indicating a strategic move that did not sustain its market dominance.

💡NokianVirta

NokianVirta is a river in Finland, from which the company Nokia derives its name. The video script explains that the name 'Nokia' is rooted in the local geography and culture of Finland, highlighting the company's origins and connection to its homeland before it became a global brand in telecommunications.

💡MOBIRA OY

MOBIRA OY was a joint venture between Nokia and the Finnish television maker 'Salora', marking Nokia's first steps into the telephony industry. The video emphasizes this as a pivotal moment in Nokia's history, leading to the development of wireless communication devices and services.

💡Sanomalaitejärjestelmä

Sanomalaitejärjestelmä, mentioned in the video, was a message-based communication device used by the Finnish military for sending encrypted text messages. It is an early precursor to the Short Messaging Service (SMS) that we use today, showcasing Nokia's early involvement in developing communication technologies.

💡MikroMikko

MikroMikko was Nokia's foray into personal computing, designed as personal computers. Although the venture was later sold to Fujitsu, it represents Nokia's attempt to diversify beyond telecommunications and into the computing industry, as discussed in the video.

💡GPRS

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a data transmission technology that Nokia utilized in its phones like the Nokia 3510. The video highlights GPRS as a significant step towards mobile data networks, which has evolved into the 3G and 4G networks we use today.

💡HERE maps

HERE maps, originally developed by Nokia, is a mapping and navigation service that provides mapping data to various companies. The video discusses Nokia's acquisition of NavteQ and the subsequent development of HERE maps, which became an independent business even after Nokia's deal with Microsoft.

💡MeeGo

MeeGo was a Linux-based operating system developed by Nokia in collaboration with Intel. The video script mentions MeeGo in the context of Nokia's innovation in operating systems. After Nokia's deal with Microsoft, the MeeGo team left to form Jolla, which launched its own mobile devices, indicating the impact and legacy of Nokia's work in software development.

💡Vertu

Vertu is a luxury mobile phone brand that was originally a division of Nokia. The video notes that Vertu shifted from Symbian to Android smartphones, maintaining its focus on luxury devices. Vertu's independence from Nokia after the Microsoft deal highlights the diverse portfolio of businesses that Nokia had been involved with.

💡Nokia 3310

The Nokia 3310 is an iconic mobile phone known for its durability and long battery life. The video script describes it as one of the most robust phones ever made, which became a cult favorite and is remembered for its ability to withstand physical stress, reflecting Nokia's reputation for producing reliable and sturdy devices.

Highlights

Nokia was a household name for mobile telephony in the 90s.

Nokia's partnership with Microsoft marked the end of Nokia as a smartphone company.

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

The name 'Nokia' is derived from the NokianVirta river in Finland.

Nokia entered electronics in 1960, working with the military to develop electronics for government use.

In 1979, Nokia ventured into telephony with the creation of MOBIRA OY and Nordic Mobile Telephone Services.

Nokia developed the Sanomalaitejärjestelmä, a message-based communication device used by the Finnish military.

The MOBIRA SENATOR was Nokia's first car phone, a pioneering wireless communication device.

The MOBIRA CITYMAN, released in 1987, was Nokia's first portable cell phone.

Mikhail Gorbachev used the MOBIRA CITYMAN, leading to its nickname 'GORBA' in Finland.

Nokia's MikroMikko was an early attempt at personal computing, later sold to Fujitsu.

Nokia was once the largest camera supplier due to the cameras in its mobile phones.

The Nokia 1100 holds the record as the highest-selling mobile phone with 250 million units sold.

In 2008, Nokia sold over 475 million handsets, a record yet to be beaten.

The Nokia 3310 is an iconic, durable phone, often referenced in pop culture for its robustness.

Nokia 1011 was the first mass-produced phone for general markets, capable of storing 99 phone numbers.

Nokia 3510 was the first phone to process data over GPRS, influencing the development of mobile data networks.

Nokia acquired NavteQ, a mapping company, which became the basis for HERE maps.

MeeGo, an operating system developed by Nokia, gave rise to the independent company Jolla.

Vertu, Nokia's luxury phone division, transitioned from Symbian to Android smartphones and remains independent.

The Microsoft-Nokia agreement marks the end of Nokia as a phone manufacturer, with an uncertain future.

Transcripts

If You have grow up in, or lived through the 90s you have heard of the name "Nokia"

It is a Household Name : For Phones , For Smartphones

Essentially for Mobile Telephony, the First name that came to anyone's mind was NOKIA

With Microsofts Launch of The Lumia phones,

Essentially, the end of Nokia as a Smartphone Company, as a Mobile Manufacturer

Has officially come about

Nokia was not always an Electronics manufacturer

Back in the Year 1865 Nokia started as a small paper mill

They grew in business and started the second mill around the town of Nokia

The name "Nokia" comes from the River : NokianVirta, Which is in Finland

So, Paper was not essentially Nokia's style and they started working with RUBBER, ELECTRICITY and CABLES

And they got large govt. orders.

and, in the year 1960 is when the company decided to get into electronics

Like any other major corporation of the world

Nokia started working with the Military

and in the years from 1960 - 1979 Manufactured and

developed a lot of electronics for military use, for army use, for use by govts.

which is what made the company - bigger and stronger- to reach what it could do in the future.

So, in 1979 Nokia took its first steps in telephony by creating MOBIRA OY

A Joint Venture with Finnish Television maker "SALORA"

They also created Nordic Mobile Telephone Services, which was later called NMT

It was the First telephony service which was going to be wireless

in the 1970-80 Nokia launched a device called the Sanomalaitejärjestelmä

which was essentially a message based communication device

so, you weren't calling people you were sending messages

this was used by the finnish military and they used this to send encrypted text messages

between one and other

This later on transferred into something that we use on a day to day basis called

The Short Messaging Service or SMS

Nokia also launched the first car phone called the MOBIRA SENATOR

It was the first wireless communication device, that was ever installed in a vehicle

in 1987 the MOBIRA CITYMAN became the first portable cell phone from Nokia

which could be carried around on person

it was lightweight : roughly 800gms for the time

and it was relatively cheap (sarcasm) costing about US$ 6000

at the time

a device that could make calls

while on the go was an innovation, was a revolution

and this device, was one of the first to do that

for all those who really read into politics back in the day

Mikhail Gorbachev was found using this device

and the phone was nicknamed the GORBA

in Finland because, basically the person who disassembled the USSR was found using it

from mobility, in the 80s Nokia decided to get into personal computing

and they designed their first devices called the MikroMikko

They were designed to be personal computers

this was later sold to Fujitsu who converted it into their laptop division, which you can still buy today in certain markets

Nokia tried to make laptops again with the Nokia Booklet 3G in 2009

And this attempt was as futile as the first and they dropped making laptops after this one

Infact, the first device used to make a satellite call in 1994 was a Nokia Device

The world's first GSM call was made in 1991 in Helsinki over a Nokia supplied network

by the Prime Minister of Finland

If you have heard of Nokia, or lived through the Nokia Generation, you'd probably recognize this tune

So, it is estimated that this ringtone is played daily about 1.8 Billion times

that more than 20,000 times per second

this was first developed by the company as a brand image

in the 1990s with their 2100 phone

Nokia also popularized mobile phone photography

at one point of time it was the largest camera supplier to the world

because of the cameras in its mobile phones, which were being used by everyone

so, at one point of time Nokia was the largest vendor of cameras

albeit, in phones but it was the largest provider of cameras to people

Nokia has also been a trendsetter so to speak

The Nokia 1100 was the highest selling mobile phone ever made

250 million units fo the device were sold

which set a benchmark for many devices to come

at the peak of its existence in 2008

Nokia sold over 475 million handsets

which is a record, yet undefeated

the Nokia 3310 was an iconic phone as well

it was launched on 1st Sept 2000

It was one of the most durable phones that was ever made for a consumer

this phone would fall and break apart into pieces, but you could basically put it back together and start using it again

Infact, even today after the invent of several smartphones, several metal made phones

The Nokia 3310 is believed to be one of the most robust phones

It is essentially a cult centre

and has become a cult favorite

where people make internet memes and lots of jokes around the Nokia 3310

that it would survive the tsunami etc.

but, the Nokia 3310 has become an icon and will remain an icon for the generation who has seen it.

the Nokia 1011 was the first phone, which was a mass produced phone

for general markets

After its army and military applications, Nokia came into the market, with its first consumer friendly phone

it was the 1011

The memory could hold 99 phone numbers at the time and it sold for a whopping US$ 1600

the design of the device was really iconic

and a lot of manufacturers, i'm guessing from china copied the design and made pencilboxes for kids

that looked like the phone

in 2002 the Nokia 3510 was the first phone that could process data over GPRS

that basically led to the use of data over mobile networks

the revolutions that we have today with 3G and 4G networks, the 3510 was one of the first devices

to do GPRS over wireless networks

in 2007 Nokia acquired a Chicago based mapping company NavteQ

They were the largest manufacturers for Navigation data for the automotive industry

Nokia acquired this and later made this into what we know today as HERE maps

It is one of the largest mapping technologies that is available in the market today

They sell their data to a lot of companies including GARMIN, Amazon.com and BMW for their Navigation equipment

Despite its sale to Microsoft as a smartphone company, Nokia retains it's HERE maps Business

and will continue working on it

and suppling several independent apps for iOS, Android as well as microsoft phones or windows based phones

as HERE maps as an independent Application

which is known to be loved by users

However, the interface was not appreciable on iOS and Android

And Nokia is working on redesigning their eco-systems

Nokia networks which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the company will also stay back with the company

Its a Multinational data network and telecommunications equipment company

and they provide customer care support, fixed mobile convergence, hosting, iPTV , mobile TV WCDMA Frequencies

and a lot more to governments, railways and other big institutions

Anyone and everyone who follows Nokia, is also aware of the MeeGo Operating System

When Nokia announced that Microsoft will be acquiring Nokia

the whole MeeGo division quit and formed " Jolla"

which recently launched its first phone in the India

at a starting stage this OS is supposed to be the next promising OS that is going to change about the

market strength from Android, iOS and Windows Phone, Lets see what the future holds

But, Jolla is now an independent company

Another company that a lot of people are familar with is Vertu

vertu is a luxury, sort of , division of Nokia where they would manufacture luxury phones

based on symbian. Recently the company shifted its focus from making Symbian phones to Android Smartphones

Continuing what they used to do with luxury devices

This division also remains independent and has not been acquired by Microsoft

Well whatever the future of Nokia may be, this 10 year agreement between Microsoft and Nokia

essentially marks the end of Nokia as a brand that used to manufacture phones

whether after 10 years Nokia re-tries the mobile market, whether it attempts to remake phones

is yet unknown

but, what happens in the next 10 years will, essentially, decide what the resultant of Nokia phones is going to be

Will Microsoft be able to continue Lumia phones, and sell them? Because they have been cold

since the launch/inception of Windows Phone

they have not been very well appreciated in the market. will Nokia get to see the future again?

A lot of people who have used Nokia as a household brand, are truly sad today

but what are your thoughts? what do you feel about Nokia's end as a phone/smartphone manufacturer?

Let us know in the comment section below

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