Web-friendly phone unveiled by Nokia

Nokia today launched its first multimedia phone for Internet access. Based on the wireless application protocol (WAP), the Nokia 7110 Media phone can access everything on the Internet via a mobile computing device. The dual-band GSM 900/1800 handset was launched this morning at the GSM World Congress in Cannes, France. Nokia will start shipping in the second quarter, with the 7110 available worldwide from July. Current battery life allows the phone to access text information from the Internet, including news, email and wireless banking, for up to 4.5 hours at a time. Anassi Vanjoki, senior VP of Nokia's mobile phone division, predicted annual sales of Internet capable phones would exceed those of portable computers in the year 2000. He added: "We will also watch rather than listen to mobile phones. The Nokia 7110 spends most of its time in the hand and is used for sight." The model also contains a built-in dictionary to enable typewriting using five keys. Nokia was not able to put a price on the phone, but said it would cost around £100 or less, depending on the service provider. Sari Baldauf, Nokia Telecommunications president, said: "In the future we will feel very uncomfortable if we leave our mobile phone at home." The Register wonders if this was why she wore hers dangling from her neck on a piece of cord. Nokia today also announced CNN Mobile, a wireless news service that can be accessed and screened by the 7100. The service will cover sport, weather reports and breaking news as well as financial round ups and regional bulletins. It will begin transmitting by July, with plans to incorporate audio information next year. ®