A barrage of new phones

It was a busy two weeks as three players – old and new – unleashed a barrage of sophisticated new mobile phones for just about every segment of the market.

Motorola kicked off the trio of events with a flashy and interactive Motomentum presentation of its new handsets and technologies at the Embassy Bar and Restaurant inside the Fort Bonifacio Global City last Jan. 11.

Two weeks later, BenQ-Siemens held a press conference at the Mezzo Restaurant in Greenbelt 2 to announce its business plan and provide a sneak peek at the upcoming BenQ-Siemens handsets that are set to hit the market. A mere three days later, it was Nokia’s turn to unveil three new fashion phones for the trendy set. Here now is a launch-by-launch look at all the new phones.

Motorola gains ‘Motomentum’ with 12 new handsets

The world of mobile telecommunications, according to Motorola, is divided into five strategic zones encompassing all genres of mobile advancement that range from cutting-edge handset design to state-of-the-art 3G technology. "Motorola has always been a company that pushes forward, whether it be in handset design or industrial innovation. Here in the Philippines, we’d like to exhibit the quality and value that Motorola can offer by addressing these five strategic areas," says Motorola Philippines country manager Patrick Aronson.

The five areas are Design, 3G, Mass Market, Companion Products, and Music. Collectively, these areas influence Motorola’s strategic planning and it shows in the products and technologies it develops.

"Every product we come up with must pass our ‘no compro-mises’ standard, a standard that demands and delivers across technologies, price points, and markets," says Aronson.

Individually, these five zones allow Motorola to cater to the specific needs and wants of its consumers. From the slimmest (Moto RAZR, SLVR and the megapixel-camera V3i and V3x) to the smoothest (Moto PEBL), Motorola’s handsets change the way people view mobile phone design.

3G technology has brought mobile innovation to a completely new level. Music, real-time streaming video, gaming, and office functions can all come in one device such as the 3G-capable E1070.

Mass Market, mean-while, reflects Motorola’s desire to deliver quality products at minimal cost. At present, Moto-rola boasts the most inexpensive camera phones in the local market – the Moto C651 and C650. (Its new entry-level phones are the surprisingly low-priced C118, C139, C168, C257, and C261.)

Motorola’s Companion Products aim to broaden the concept of wireless mobility. Bluetooth technology plays a major role in this area. From wireless Bluetooth headsets to outrageous Bluetooth jackets, Motorola brings a whole new meaning to "wearable technology."

Last but not least, Music is perhaps Motorola’s premier zone. Having launched the first-ever mobile phone with iTunes capability, the Moto ROKR E1, Motorola continues to take the lead in producing music-enabled mobile technology with the ROKR E2.

"These five areas are highly suggestive of what Motorola has in store for 2006," says Aronson. "We want to change the way wireless technology is viewed here in the Philippines, and establish that Motorola has taken that lead in that arena."

Nokia unveils L’Amour fashion collection handsets

Continuing to push the boundaries of mobile phone design, Nokia introduced last Monday at the NBC Tent a collection of three trendy mobile phones – the 7360, 7370, and 7380.

Each model in the L’Amour Collection offers a beautiful mix of contrasts, infusing cultural and ethnic influences with luxurious touches.

"For many consumers, the mobile phone has truly become an extension of their personal style – it is a fashion statement as well as an advanced communications device," says Parikshit Bhasin, country general manager of Nokia Philippines. "Every detail of these products, from the nature-inspired graphics to the velvet-lined pouches, has been carefully considered with the style-conscious individual in mind. We are very confident that consumers who appreciate design and attention to detail will fall in love with the L’Amour Collection," he adds.

In the design and development of the L’Amour Collection, Nokia’s Design team looked to materials such as amber, ceramic, turquoise, silk and enamel for inspiration. Craft techniques such as enameling and etching added a creative spark to the graphics, materials, finishes and colors selected for each model in the collection.

Sleek and seductive, the etched mirrored surface and discreet keyless dial of the centerpiece Nokia 7380 invite glances – even stares.

A leather cover and a mirrored display subtly mask the sophisticated technology, which includes a two-megapixel camera with 4x zoom, MP3 player and intuitive keyless voice dialing.

The Nokia 7370, on the other hand, swivels open to reveal its elegantly hidden keypad. Beautiful patterns, etched into the elegant metal trims, are contrasted by leather-inspired faceplates, adding a romantic appeal and an element of the exotic.

But it’s not just about looks. Advanced features like a 1.3-megapixel camera (with 8x zoom) and stereo speakers with 3D sound effects, ensure that the 7370 matches current technology with the latest design trends.

It is available in two color schemes, coffee brown and warm amber, with each model offering a distinct set of graphics, screensavers and even dedicated camera keys.

The materials, graphics and color palette of the 7360, meanwhile, ensure that this charming mobile phone stands out in a crowd.

Trend-conscious men and women will appreciate the 7360’s mixture of patterns and textures, which are perfectly complemented by elegant accessories, including straps and carrying pouches.

An integrated VGA camera, stereo FM radio and MP3 ringtones are just some of its notable features.

BenQ Mobile launches first dual-branded phones

BenQ Mobile, the new business group of BenQ Corp., through Haldane Philippines Inc., its local handset distributor, debuted last week its newly branded BenQ-Siemens handsets to the local audience.

Having commenced operations last Oct. 1 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, the BenQ-Siemens collaboration combines German engine-ering and over 150 years of telecoms experience with the design expertise and speed to market of relative newcomer BenQ.

The company unveiled the first three products to carry the new joint brand name – the EF81, S88, and S68. All feature slim designs and use premium metals (magnesium, aluminum, or stainless steel) but it is the EF81 in particular that provides an indication of the future roadmap: miniaturization of high-speed UMTS technology with a two-megapixel camera and an expandable memory (via Micro SD card) in an ultra-thin 16.5-mm magnesium clamshell design.

BenQ-Siemens has committed that at least a third of its products launched in 2006 will be 3G-capable and that there will be a significant focus on multimedia: every three of four products featuring a music player or FM radio and every second phone offering a minimum 1.3-megapixel camera.

BenQ is renowned for its award-wining design, scooping 86 international design awards in just three years (2002-2005), and Siemens has always had a reputation for ingenuity, introducing both the first slider and MP3 phones.

BenQ Mobile moves into 2006 with the aim to improve its bottomline quarter-on-quarter and achieve a financially stable business by the end of the year. The company is already seeing the results of its first 100 days of operation under an invigorated leadership team. It has achieved a reduction of operational losses.

Operators have reacted positively to the new roadmap, which features a high number of 3G and multimedia-rich products, and many flagship handsets are now confirmed to be listed across key regions.