Las Vegas – Nokia launched its
first 4G LTE Windows Phone, which will be available exclusively on the AT&T
network in the coming months.
AT&T will be the first U.S. carrier to
offer 4G LTE Windows phones, and the Nokia Lumia 900 “is one of those,” said
AT&T Mobility president/CEO Ralph de la Vega at a Nokia press conference
where Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer also appeared.
The phone, which is Nokia’s first LTE
smartphone, will be Nokia’s second Windows phone in the U.S. following Jan. 11
availability of the entry-level $49.99 Lumia 710 for use on T-Mobile’s 4G HSPA+
network. Both Lumia phones mark the beginning of “a new dawn for Nokia here in
North America,” said Nokia president/CEO Stephen Elop.
Although Elop declined to reveal
the 900’s planned price point, he did say it is Nokia’s intent to enter the
U.S. market “aggressively” with the 900.
The phone was designed specifically for the
North American market in close partnership with AT&T and was therefore
built for a “rich media experience,” said Elop.
Features that will deliver that experience
include a rear- and front-facing camera, the latter enabling video chats. A
front-facing camera isn’t available on the Lumia 710 nor on the Lumia 800,
which is available outside North America. Another feature designed for the
media-consuming North American market is the 4.3-inch display, which is larger
than the 3.7-inch displays on the 710 and 800. The display also uses AMOLED
Clear Black display to deliver deep blacks, sharper colors, reduced glare, and
high brightness without eating up battery power, said senior VP Kevin Shields.
It also features high-power 1830 mAH battery to enjoy content for a long time
between battery charges.
Other key media-related features include a
rear-facing camera with large Carl Zeiss wide-aperture f2.2 lens with wide 28mm
focal length. The front camera features an f2.4 aperture and 28mm focal length.
Like the other Lumia phones, the 900 features a 1.4GHz processor.
To differentiate Nokia’s Windows phones from
other vendors’ Windows phones, Lumia phones are turning to design, embedded
maps and GPS so the phones can double as a portable navigation device (PND),
and such exclusive content as the ESPN sports hub and the Univision App, which
will be exclusive to Lumia users and will deliver Spanish-language content,
Nokia said.
Nokia also struck a deal with game maker EA to
bring more than 20 popular games for Windows Phone devices first to Lumia
devices, Nokia said.
