Skip to main content

MWC: Nokia 8110, the banana phone from the Matrix is back


Nokia has re-released the Matrix phone at MWC. They have updated the classic phone from the 90's, the slider, the banana phone for 2018. It now has LTE and has a larger screen but otherwise, it's pretty much the same form factor. This shape is pretty ridiculous in 2018 but it works. There is a ton of nostalgia and have wanted one ever since I saw the Matrix, I love the fact that HMD Global which now makes Nokia phones is bringing it back. HMD says that there are still over a billion people who are using feature phones and they think that through some combination of nostalgia, Nokia's recognizable brand name, and just being one of the few people still making decent feature phones, they can actually get some people to buy this thing. The device is going to sell for under $100. You're going to be able to buy it in May 2018 in Europe.

Obviously, the big deal here is the design. It has a curved shape on the outside which is part of what give it the banana phone nickname. Also, it comes in yellow as well as black color. There is a headphone jack on top, it charges over micro USB. It has a 2 Megapixel camera on the back of this thing and I have to tell you it is really not good. The slider is not exactly great but it's not about whether it's good or bad it's about the fact that it was in the Matrix 20 years ago. You have to use a directional pad to navigate the interface, T9 to type and I have to say going back after a decade on Smartphone's is a real wake-up call as to how not great the experience was. So even though you can't get Android apps, there is still an app store. Nokia has partnered with a bunch of companies to fill up with some popular apps. So there's going to be Twitter, Facebook. There's even going to be a whole suite of Google apps including the Google assistant. And of course, this is a Nokia phone, so there's Snake. It can be used as a hotspot, which I guess would be a little bit handier. That's also going to allow it to work on more cell networks around the world.

I'm not really sure what this experience is going to be like but the intention really seems to be bridging the gap between a feature phone and a smartphone by offering at least some of the functionality. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nokia 3310 4G will be running on Android based operating System:YunOS

The old man Nokia 3310 with 2G support was launched on 26 February 2017 by HMD Global. Back from the dead, it revived itself with the 3G network after getting a lukewarm response from the first launch. Yet again, the reincarnated version failed to stand up amongst its competitors mainly because of its basic OS. But the old man never lost his hope. Something more effective and productive is on its way.   According to recent leaks, 3310 will be running Alibaba’s YunOS, an android based OS. It is smart platform switch by Nokia from Java-based Feature OS to YunOS. It is based on Google’s Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It is cloud-based and has high compatibility. A wide range of Internet of things (IoT) devices run on this android clone platform. This platform is actively utilized by more than 157 million devices in China. If all falls in correct place, HMD will witness its blockbuster hit by giving a home to this old brick. With the 4G network to come up, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jio Launches "Happy New Year 2018" plans.

Reliance Jio, a fresher in telecom domain has already created a stir in the digital ecosystem with its marketing strategies. Now it is all set to rule 2018 with a bang by launching two prepaid monthly plans. Rightly called "Happy New Year Plan". First one is Rs 199 for 28 days. This plan offers 1.2 Gb 4G data along with free call services per-day. The second one is of Rs 299 for 28 days. This plan offers 2Gb 4G data with free call services per day. The effective cost is less than Rs 6 per Gb. Apart from high-speed broadband services these plans come with other peripheral services of an unlimited voice call to any network, app services, and national roaming services for prime members. Jio eventually finalized a deal with BSNL to use intra-circle roaming facilities in national roaming mode. Reliance Communications, on the other hand, signed a deal of Rs 240 billion to sell its wireless assets to Reliance Jio Infocomm. The collaborations and marketing strategies of Jio are...
Post a Comment
Read more

Google Clips: Wireless Smart Camera

Let's talk about Google Clips, it's a $250 smart camera that uses Artificial Intelligence to detect and capture important moments in your life. Now if you are a parent or a pet owner, you're probably familiar with the frustration of trying to capture great candid's of your kid's or pet's activities. Maybe you're familiar with having a ton of photos and videos of your family members, but you're not any one of them because you're always the one behind the camera. Now Google things clips can solve that frustration by providing a camera that can do all of the shooting for you. The clip is a simple automatic point and shoot camera that's similar looking to a go pro, but it's considerably smaller. It has a fixed focus lens, with a 130-degree field of view, a single button, and a few LED but no display. It connects to an iPhone, Google Pixel, or Samsung Galaxy S7 or S8 through Bluetooth or WIFI direct, to download the images it captures and...
Post a Comment
Read more