Nokia Top Dog's Rallying Cry Reinforces Commitment To Symbian

In an open letter Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia's head of Mobile Solutions, has made a rallying cry to Nokia and Symbian fans and a statement of intent to the rest of the tech world.

In the statement (reproduced below), Najoki restated Noki's commitment to returning to it's spot as the number one smartphone manufacturer, defended Nokia's choice of Symbian as it's platform of choice for smartphones and attempted to clear up any confusion as to the the different roles Meego and Symbian will play in Nokia's future.

Vonyoki's letter also reached out to any fans who's confidence in the Finnish manufacturer has slipped and he reach out personally to former Symbian Guru Ricky Cadden, whose letter just yesterday sent ripples through the Symbian community.

Rumours that Nokia were about to drop Symbian as the platform used for it's N series were squashed too when the Nokia boss dropped a strong hint (complete with smiley wink) that while the N8 would be the last Symbian ^3 device, an N series device operating on Symbian ^4 is on it's way.

Here is the letter in full:

Yesterday was the first day in my new job. I’m fortunate to say that I must have one of the most exciting jobs in the business. As head of Mobile Solutions, it’s my aim to ensure Nokia stays as the market and intellectual leader in creating the digital world. I’m under no illusions; it’s no small task.

Over the coming months, we’ll be advancing current projects and working to simplify the way we work in order to deliver products and services faster, and with a laser focus on quality.

I am committed, perhaps even obsessed, with getting Nokia back to being number one in high-end devices. Achieving this will require performance and efforts over and above the norm. This is a role I’ve personally been preparing for over the last 20 years. We have all the assets — including R&D and product development – at our disposal under one roof – to produce killer smartphones and market-changing mobile computers.

Over the coming months, we’ll be releasing the Nokia N8, the first Symbian^3 phone from Nokia. I have been testing the N8 and I believe it is going to surprise a lot of people with its power and speed. The camera and HD quality video and deep integration with Ovi services will make this an entertainment powerhouse. We also plan to deliver our first MeeGo device this year. And MeeGo has me buzzing.

Symbian and MeeGo are the best software for our smartest devices. As such, we have no plans to use any other software. Despite rumors to the contrary, there are no plans to introduce an Android device from Nokia. There has also been some confusion about Symbian and Nseries. The Nokia N8 will be our only Nseries devices on Symbian^3. Of course, we ‘never comment on future products’, but a Symbian^4 Nseries device is a strong possibility. A very strong possibility 

Symbian is our platform of choice for Nokia smartphones. Symbian has taken a lot of criticism lately – some of it fair, some not. But what is consistently overlooked is that Symbian still accounts for more than two-fifths of the global smartphone market. We believe the Nokia N8 will have great appeal. People want a smartphone that is familiar, packed with features, offers great performance. With products like the N8 and others to follow, we have preserved the best and most familiar parts of Symbian, making it effortless for the largest population of smartphone users to upgrade. We are determined to win back supporters, including Ricky, our favourite Symbian Guru.

MeeGo offers us an opportunity to take mobile technology beyond the smartphone, and into a new world of connected devices. As Symbian gears up to compete with the likes of iPhone and Android, MeeGo is taking clear aim at the computing space.

The current phase of MeeGo development is looking awesome. We believe it will power the computers of the future. And the computers of the future will not be tied to a desk or even a lap – they will fit in your pocket.

From the ground up, MeeGo is a computer operating system. Working with Intel, we’ve combined our assets to create a software platform that completely integrates mobile elements such as GPS, Bluetooth, NFC and more. This will offer developers a rich environment to create new possibilities for users.

For consumers, it will mean true computing power in your pocket. Something that can deliver everything you want, but be with you all the time.

Together, Symbian and MeeGo will form the backbone of our Mobile Solutions unit. This unit contains all the assets it requires to develop and deliver inspiring and game-changing products.

There is no denying, that as a challenger now, we have a fight on our hands. The first battle is to bring you products and services you will want to own and use, to inspire you to create and do new things in this ever changing digital world.

I’m ready to take this challenge on, and so is the entire Nokia team.

Comments

[paul]

It's sad that it took people like Ricky Cadden and Rita El Khoury to give up on what was once an epic OS to "conveniently" spark a statement from nokia over the future of there devices and OS choices.

I hope nokia pull it off and kick ass again one day.

To many it won't matter (as they'll jump to android or iphone or s60 on samsung/Sony ericsson)but to the genuine power users to s30 s40 and s60 it's more of a let down as we use the devices to there limit.

Come on nokia bring it home.

[Jared Xavier]

I'm relieved that Nokia is resolved to fight to restore it's former glory, and hasn't simply laid down and relinquished it's title. I have no doubt that Nokia will learn how to adapt and advance it's technology, but what will draw customers in is the style of the phones. Nokia cannot simply focus on touch-screen devices- they need to release a varying array of phones to revitalize the Nseries platform. Touch, slide, flat... even bringing back the flip phone would catch people's attention. The more unique the better.

[unlocked cell phones]

I don't know if they are making the right move with Symbian. But I guess time will tell. Nokia is a strong brand and I am sure they know what they are doing.