Nokia to be Reborn with Windows Phone

Nokia have shown faith in the future of Windows Phone and launched two new smartphones based on Microsoft's new operating system.

The Lumia 800 and the Lumia 710 mark the beginning of Nokia's fight back against Apple's iPhone and rivals using Google's Android software.  Until recently, Nokia, were the world's largest maker of smartphones.  All future Nokia smartphones will be built on the Windows Phone 7.5 operating system, otherwise known as Mango. 

New boss, Stephen Elop, believes that the launch of the new range, that includes four new basic phones, will mark the "rebirth" of Nokia.

In an unusual move for the company, it will start shipping the Lumia 800 range almost immediately and hit the shops in France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain and the Netherlands in November.

Sony Announces Arrival to Tablet Market

Better late than never, Sony has announced its much anticipated arrival to the tablet market.  The devices, codenamed S1 and S2, will go on sale towards the end of the year and will run on Google's Android operating system.

The Apple iOS system that runs on the iPad is expected to remain the dominant operating system for several years to come but Android is undoubtedly the fastest growing mobile platform of the moment and is expected to claim a 38% market share by 2015.

Sony said that its first tablets would come in two form factors: one will have a conventional 9.4 inch touchscreen, while the other will feature dual 5.5 inch displays that fold closed.

In addition to the base Android Honeycomb operating system, Sony will add several of its own features, including the ability to transmit video and music to TVs and stereos using the DLNA wireless streaming standard, and an inbuilt infrared so that it can be used as a remote control on all Sony gear.

The company suggested that there would also be some form of integration with its PlayStation network and the possibility of gaming functions.

There are no confirmed announcements on pricing but with their arrival to the Tablet party, the market is likely to hot up this autumn.

Nokia to Cut 7,000 Worldwide

From 2012, Nokia’s refocus on the smartphone market will result in 7,000 jobs being cut worldwide. 

4,000 jobs will be cut completely, including 700 from across the UK, whereas 3,000 staff will find themselves reshuffled into outsourcing and consultancy group Accenture.  From next year, Accenture will take over Nokia's Symbian software product, so that the mobile giants can concentrate on their relationship with Microsoft.

Nokia has been slow to respond to the smartphone threat from competitors such as Apple's iPhone and phones using Google's Android system, and has long been a key investor concern.

The firm is hoping that their recent deal with Microsoft to jointly develop smartphone technology, and their impending shake-up will increase their capacity for smartphone development.