Nokia seeks turnaround from new S40 browser

Nokia hopes a new browser for its Series 40 handsets will help kick-start the fightback from a torrid first quarter, when device sales plummeted.

 

The beefed up Nokia Browser 2.0 uses cloud-based servers to boost browsing speed, a new user interface, and improvements to discovery and download of applications. Nokia claims the cloud approach cuts data consumption by up to 90% - hinting it is preparing to do battle on browsing costs.

 

“As many consumers around the world will experience the internet for the first time through a mobile phone, this is a great step towards our goal to connect the 'Next Billion'," Dieter May, senior vice president of mobile phones services at Nokia, says.

 

The firm states the update can be downloaded onto any Series 40 device, but will be pre-installed on some of its current and future handsets in the range.

 

Nokia’s device sales fell 40% year-on-year in 1Q12, resulting in the unit slipping from an operating loss of €219 million ($287.8 million) from a profit of €729 million in 1Q11.