In Company-Wide Memo CEO Admits Android, iOS Beating Out Nokia, Change is Needed

[phandroid]

Today Nokia CEO and former Microsoft exec Stephen Elop sent out a company-wide memo on the current state of the brand and its future. In the rather long memo (you can read a full version by following the source link at the bottom), Elop calls Nokia “years behind” Android and iOS, and points to the [...]

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[Usta]

Finally, some truth from Nokia's top management.

 

[Knewz]

bring forth symbian!

 

[NowVoyager]

This is news? They haven't been in the game for awhile. He's stating the obvious, LOL

 

[Usta]

This is news? They haven't been in the game for awhile. He's stating the obvious, LOL

Not so obvious for those who choose not to look outside of Symbian...

 

[Drhyde]

Interesting, but I have a feeling Nokia will stay away from Android for some reason. They'd really get a huge boost in sales if they did. However, I think Nokia will just try to invent their own ecosystem rather than join one. They're too prided to join up with another company.

 

[viber]

Nokia should not go android for a couple of very good reasons. It will not solve their problems. Symbian is not the answer either.

 

[Bob Maxey]

Interesting, but I have a feeling Nokia will stay away from Android for some reason. They'd really get a huge boost in sales if they did. However, I think Nokia will just try to invent their own ecosystem rather than join one. They're too prided to join up with another company.

I am not so sure I agree.

Where would we be today if everyone went with the pack rather than try something different? If you know anything about the history of technology, those that are "too prided to join up with another company" quite often run over the 'other company' and become dominant.

Not sure technology advances if everyone is doing the same thing. Nokia might fail, but, who really knows what the future holds. Perhaps Android and Apple and Nokia will be killed by some as of yet unknown developer's brilliant new OS. Perhaps Nokia figures out a way to kill us all off. I am through guessing about technology and who is or is not making mistakes.

I'll just go ahead and say it: it is entirely possibly to develop a phone/device OS that is FAR, FAR better than Android and FAR FAR better than IOS. It just has not been done yet but it will be done if history is a guide. Android I love you man, but watch your back for the "kid in the garage" that will likely beat you up and deliver way cool in a way that neither you or Apple can equal.

It has happened countless times before and it will happen again.

Perhaps Nokia will blow us away at some point with something that is so revolutionary we all just have to have it. Or perhaps Nokia will be an also ran that history shows made a terrible decision.

Remember, Android (at least I believe so) arrived partly in response to the iPhone. There was a point where Android did not exist but it arrived, grew, and attracted developers.

If anything thinks that by forgoing Android and doing it their way Nokia definitely made a mistake well, they might be wrong.

Bob Maxey

 

[qwer]

Nokia just announced a partnership with Microsoft, so they are not making an Android phone.

 

[reinbeau]

All anyone has to do is create something as seamless as iOS or Palm, something that isn't as wild and woolly, that people can just turn on and use. Business people need to be just able to use the phone. Make it easy and feature rich and they will come.

 

[brownhornet]

And they thought windows phone 7 was the answer??? Fail

 

[NowVoyager]

The other thing to consider is - Standards. Android and iOS are in wide release (and acceptance/adoption). Therefore, there are more corporations coming onboard much like we began to see with the original RIM technology. We see it across the board. For example in the TV sector - Sony tried with the BetaMax standard but were circumvented by VHS as it came into wide acceptance and then became the defacto standard. Yet, it too has been all but phased out by DVD's. We saw the same thing in computers. Apple held sway for awhile because they had the schools. But Windows soon took over because they brought the prices down and (since they also made the software to run the darn things) "put a chicken in every pot" so to speak...they won market share.

Android is just beginning its run. Developers are excited worldwide. The customers have made a choice. What I don't understand is how Apple could purport to assume that they were the market leader when they have only had one carrier (until now)??? Android on the other hand was carried worldwide by multiple carriers and manufacturers. The math is simple. Yes, they held sway over the *portion* of the market where Apple reigned...namely ATT in the States and more recently Tmo in UK and Japan is picking up speed. But even I can see that this does not constitute dominance when you factor in all carriers, all manufacturers worldwide... You can get an Android for as little as $29 (or "free" during marketing drives). It's the "chicken in every pot" move all over again.

Palm had a moment and was a great OS. However, it has lost to Android. Windows is "barely there." Symbian just became out gunned by the sheer magnitude of the other players. Bring in yet another OS at this point??? I cannot see the gain.

 

[Drhyde]

Nokia just announced a partnership with Microsoft, so they are not making an Android phone.

Because Microsoft has done so well with their previous efforts. Nokia just seriously doesn't have a clue.

 

[Bob Maxey]

Palm had a moment and was a great OS. However, it has lost to Android. Windows is "barely there." Symbian just became out gunned by the sheer magnitude of the other players. Bring in yet another OS at this point??? I cannot see the gain.

However, didn't Android arrive partly in answer to the iPhone? Seems to me, we need as many operating systems as we can get.

One thing I know for a fact is technology is not stagnant and at some point, someone will bring out a better OS than Android and they will fall when something else arrives.

I think the market will decide who is alive or dead in the next five years or so. Or tomorrow.

Bob Maxey

 

[NowVoyager]

However, didn't Android arrive partly in answer to the iPhone? Seems to me, we need as many operating systems as we can get.

One thing I know for a fact is technology is not stagnant and at some point, someone will bring out a better OS than Android and they will fall when something else arrives.

I think the market will decide who is alive or dead in the next five years or so. Or tomorrow.

Bob Maxey

The OP was about Nokia. Nokia has thrown their hat into the ring with Windows...the value of this decision remains to be seen - Windows has certainly not shown its muscle in the phone wars to date.

Apple if you will remember, came behind Palm and RIM. Apple was a gorgeous specimen of technological hardware affectionately called Eye Candy. Palm, was truly innovative as an OS and was IMHO, the first Smartphone - marrying the PDA to the cell phone: but lost its foothold when the organization unraveled internally. RIM in its original incarnation showed promise as not only a corporate powerhouse but during 9-11 it was the only service uninterrupted on Capitol Hill when all cell phone service was out of commission nationwide. Then, consumers fell in love with BB ... for a time.

When speaking of Apple, it is the iPhone hardware that is celebrated...not iOS per se. Android on the other hand wears many "jackets"...but it is the OS that is outstanding because it is open and gives "the little guy" a chance to get into the game. The strength of iOS is also its weakness - It is locked into one man's vision.

Android entered a crowded field and has overtaken it. How long will it reign? We don't know. But what we do know is that it isn't likely to go away any time soon. However long it lasts, this is Android's moment.

 

[Sorrow_Doll]

I think it would be great if Nokia are teaming up with Microsoft to bring Windows 7 to Nokia phones. Windows mobiles are good. But I think of all the people who got used to Symbian and love it. Sure Symbian isn't on par with Android or iOS, but it has many loyal followers. I know many people who love their Nokia and won't try anything else. Only if Nokia is deciding to make certain number of Windows phones, while keeping Symbian on lower-end phones.

 

[Guamguy]

Eldar Murtazin is at it again. He claims Nokia is testing an Android prototype.

 

[Guamguy]

The noted Nokia leaker, Eldar Murtazin, now claims Nokia is testing an Android prototype.

 

[ElasticNinja]

The noted Nokia hater, Eldar Murtazin, now claims Nokia is testing an Android prototype.

fixed that for you

BTW his inside info is usually spot on, but dont be surprised if this is greatly exaggerated (eg a Nokia dev might have gotten Android booting on a MeeGo prototype) in order to hurt Nokia

 

[LoyalServant]

RIP Nokia

 

[ElasticNinja]

RIP Nokia

if they had not done this they were doomed to certain death
Symbain could not be fixed, somethings fishy about MeeGo...