Nokia E7 launch delayed
Nokia has delayed the launch of its new E7 smartphone until the new year, missing the chance to cash in on the busy Christmas trading period.
The Finnish mobile maker says that it has delayed shipping its next flagship model until “early 2011” to “ensure the best possible user experience”. It had been scheduled to launch in the final quarter of the year.
The E7 is one of a range of smartphones that Nokia will boost its fortunes as the company looks to play catch up with rivals such as Apple and HTC in the smart phone market.
The company’s lack of progress in the lucrative smartphone market was seen as the driving behind the decision to bring in Microsoft executive Stephen Elop as president and chief executive in September.
Nokia also recently drafted in Jerri DeVard as its first CMO and VP of marketing to lead a newly formed marketing and communications department created to “increase the impact of its “communications and engagement”.
Boosting its smartphone offering is seen as crucial to the future success of Nokia. Global handset sales grew 35% in the third quarter over last year, while smartphone sales grew by 96%.
E7 is similar to the just released N8 smartphone, which was also delayed this year, but has a slideout keyboard.
