Recent comments by Nokia appeared to suggest that the Finnish company might already be considering a return to the smartphone arena. Having just sold its Devices & Services division to Microsoft earlier this year, the idea that it might want back into the game caught many by surprise. Commentstoday by new CEO Rajeev Suri clarified those comments and indicate that any such return is not in the cards. “We are not looking to a direct consumer return to handsets per se,” said Suri at its analyst meeting.
Recognizing that the Nokia name still holds value, Suri promised that ” the Nokia “brand will return to the consumer world.” When it does, it appears that it will do so as part of licensing deals. Not so clear is how this return would work. It may include new devices but could equally be limited to a range of new services. For example, Nokia will not compete directly with Google with its Nokia HERE navigation software. It will instead offer it to partners such as Amazon, Microsoft and Yahoo who will in turn offer it to end users.
As for the new Nokia, Suri expects that all three business will show growth in the near future. Sadly, it does appear that a return to better days will be done without any new mobile phones.
Source : ZDNet