Nokia has revised its earnings guidance upwards, and now says it expects to report both higher income and higher volumes shipped than it previously stated when it delivers its Q3 2004 figures next month.

Nokia says sales will be in the range €6.8-6.9bn, up from €6.6-6.8bn; and earnings per share €0.11-0.13, up from €0.08-0.10. The company attributed the results to cost control measures and higher than expected sales.

Analysts had been concerned that in a bid to shore up its collapsing market share for mobile phones, the company was sacrificing margins. Channel reports suggest Nokia has discounted its phones by 20 to 25 per cent. The earnings should alleviate those concerns.

Market watchers have also blamed a lack of clamshell designs and a fondness for outré designs. Nokia responded today at a launch in Shanghai with a smart clamshell fashion phone, the 7270 and ... er, a completely bizarre model that resembles an industrial thermometer, the 7280. According to Nokia's blurb, It's "perfect to whip out at cocktails" and "geared to attract attention and become the talking point at any high glamour soiree." It's probably going to attract the attention of the men in white coats, too.

So good news and bad, there. ®

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