FINNISH PHONE MAKER Nokia's newly promoted Anssi Vanjoki has written a bullish first post in which he kicks to the curb any suggestion that the firm will use Google's Android OS.
Vanjoki, now Nokia's head of mobile solutions, launched into the role with a post called, "The fightback starts now", in which he set forth his firm's stance on operating systems and its plans to take battle back to the top of the mobile phone market.
At the heart of this fightback is the line that Vanjoki is drawing around preferred operating systems. He believes that Nokia will benefit best from working with partners closer to home.
"Symbian and MeeGo are the best software for our smartest devices. As such, we have no plans to use any other software. Despite rumors to the contrary, there are no plans to introduce an Android device from Nokia," he explained.
We don't know if the Nokia human resources team tests its workers for stress, but although he's not long in the job Vanjoki is already showing signs of it.
"I am committed, perhaps even obsessed, with getting Nokia back to being number one in high-end devices," he wrote, causing us to wonder whether it might be a good idea for someone to scatter a few holiday brochures on his desk. "Achieving this will require performance and efforts over and above the norm." Well, agreed.
This over and above the norm business is a good point though. Nokia has its eggs in all the Symbian, Moblin and Meego baskets, none of which are really on the tips of anyone's tongue when they talk about exciting smartphone operating systems.
Perhaps some of the commentators on the piece are not as convinced as Vanjoki. One said, "OK, then Good Luck!", and another added, "Very Good Anssi! I start to see my reality distorted..."
None of this concerns Vanjoki though, who is hellbent on resurrecting the firm and was keen to stake the soon to come Nokia N8 handset's place in the recovery.
"Over the coming months, we'll be releasing the Nokia N8, the first Symbian^3 phone from Nokia. I have been testing the N8 and I believe it is going to surprise a lot of people with its power and speed. The camera and HD quality video and deep integration with Ovi services will make this an entertainment powerhouse. We also plan to deliver our first MeeGo device this year. And MeeGo has me buzzing," he burbled.
How forward looking this new Nokia is remains to be seen. Vanjoki has already hinted at a potential cap on Symbian^3 devices, explaining that the N8 will be the only one of the series to use the OS.
However, he did add, "Of course, we 'never comment on future products', but a Symbian^4 Nseries device is a strong possibility. A very strong possibility." He then added a winking smiley to his post, which for reasons of taste we will not reproduce.
Winking aside, the firm has reportedly already decided to use Meego on forthcoming N series handsets. Someone should tell Vanjoki.
Comments