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What programme will you LISTEN TO on your Nokia phone?

by Guy Kewney | posted on 12 March 2002


Nokia's latest "fashion" phone is a lot more than just an FM Radio receiver - but that's probably the bit that most people will focus on - missing the real technology innovation - the Pop-Port. And no, it's not Pop Music!

Guy Kewney

With the Nokia 7210, "users can enjoy a high-quality sound experience with the new polyphonic MIDI ring tones and the integrated stereo FM radio," said Nokia in Hannover today. "MIDI sounds and traditional ring tones can also be used as personal ring tones and SMS alert tones. New sounds can be received over MMS, downloaded from Club Nokia via WAP or via the Internet with Nokia PC Suite 5.0. The integrated handsfree speaker makes it possible for example to listen to the radio without a headset."

But the real innovation isn't the FM radio; nor yet the Java engine which allows it to run downloadable software. It's the fact that the Nokia 7210 phone is also the first Nokia phone with a Pop-Port interface connector.

"The Nokia Pop-Port connector will be a primary interface connector in future Nokia phones," said the company. "It has been designed for the mobile environment and supports advanced functionalities, such as digital accessory identification, stereo audio or fast data connectivity."

With the launch of the Pop-Port connector, Nokia will gradually open parts of the interface and license the specifications to both accessory and phone manufacturers.

"This will significantly expand the choice of innovative and appealing accessories from companies experienced in the music, entertainment and imaging arena, for example," said the announcement.

The 7210 is, however, primarily a fashion accessory. Users of the Nokia 7210 will be able to download polyphonic MIDI ring tones, color graphics, and pictures via WAP from Club Nokia. A new attraction is the ability to download "wallpaper" pictures for the phone.

In addition, users will be able to store pictures in a personal picture zone in Club Nokia's Photo Zone and send pictures as multimedia messages from the web site.

It will also be possible to download J2ME games via WAP.