Nokia Connection 2011 Event Updates - Live from Singapore!

Mark of TP reporting for duty.


Officially a Nokia Connection Sophomore! :)

I'm now here in Marina Bay Sands Singapore for tomorrow's Nokia Connection 2011. If you remember, Nokia also invited TP to cover last year's Nokia Connection also held in SG - where the Finnish company gave us a preview of no less than the best cameraphone in the world today, the Nokia N8.



TP Friends, this year's Nokia Connection - with the theme 'Unveiling The Next Chapter' - promises to be equally exciting. I'm expecting to hear groundbreaking announcements from Stephen Elop, President and CEO of Nokia, who will be giving a keynote presentation during the event. There will also be group interviews with other Nokia executives, so if you have questions you want to ask them, feel free to write them down on our TPCP FB Wall.

Now, I know the biggest question lingering in your mind right now is, 'Will Nokia unveil new phones? Nokia N9 or its first Windows Phone 7 handset, maybe?' Well, as yet, we don't know for sure. I asked Nikka that question over lunch earlier and apparently, they're keeping all Nokia Connection announcements a secret.

I guess we'll all just have to stay tuned to find out. :)

UPDATE as of 1:45PM - June 21, 2011

I just returned to my hotel room after the group lunch to update you on what happened during the event. I will upload all photos and videos later so keep tuning in.



The keynote presentations are already done. Basically, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop demonstrated how the company is making significant progress on the new strategy it laid out earlier this year. From smartphones to mobile phones, from services to user interface design, and from improved device experiences to developer tools, Nokia outlined concrete actions for growth and taking leadership across the board.

In mobile phones, Nokia introduced three new affordable devices – the Nokia C2-02, Nokia C2-03 and Nokia C2-06. The portfolio includes dual and single SIM options, and all three models offer a new, advanced web and maps experience for Series 40 phone users, as well as the choice of a touch screen or a keypad. (I'm still uploading photos and videos. Hold on, TP Friends.)

Nokia also restated its commitment to Symbian. This July, Nokia will start shipping Nokia N8s, E7s, C7s and C6-01s with the new Symbian Anna software update, which includes a number of user experience improvements. By the end of August, existing owners of these devices can also download Symbian Anna. And over the next 12 months Nokia plans to bring up to 10 new Symbian-based smartphones to market.

The Qt framework is at the core of Nokia’s existing smartphone product line, and today there are more than 100 million Nokia Qt devices worldwide. Ovi Store consumers are downloading an increasing number of Qt applications, including in high-growth markets like Asia-Pacific. Tapping into this trend, Nokia will make Qt core to building applications that connect the next billion users to the internet. For Qt developers, this will mean a dramatic increase in reach and opportunity during the coming years

Now, this is what we've all been waiting for --


Me with the ultra-sexy Nokia N9!

Nokia also revealed its latest smartphone: the MeeGo-powered Nokia N9, an all-screen device with three home views and a new user interface navigated through a simple swipe of the finger. The Nokia N9 comes in a polycarbonate design that enables superior antenna performance for better reception, better voice quality and fewer dropped calls; and a smarter all-round experience with NFC for sharing and pairing to accessories.



The Nokia N9 will drive new innovation in the consumer experience, and inspire developers to build more powerful Qt applications.



That's it for now. I will update this post with more photos every chance I get within the day.