Nokia's new phones unveiled amid job cuts

Nokia today introduced two new slider phones, to be available in the first quarter of next year, that both include frequency bands for the North American market. A Nokia representative declined to provide further details on the phones, including whether they would be sold through a U.S. carrier.

The news comes on the heels of Nokia's further efforts to slim down its global handset portfolio in a bid to focus on fewer, flashier phones. The company last week announced it would cut 330 research and development jobs at sites in Finland and Denmark, and today Nokia expanded that action to include 220 R&D employees in Japan (or roughly 1 percent of Nokia's global R&D personnel). Nokia said the move was made to "align its research and development operations to be in line with its focused portfolio of future products"--meaning the company plans to develop fewer phone models.

As for Nokia's new phones, both gadgets offer an FM radio, connections to Nokia's Ovi services and support for WCDMA 850/1900/2100 MHz networks. The 6700 features the Symbian operating system, a 5-megapixel camera, an aluminum frame and a 2.2-inch screen, while the 7230 features a 3.2-megapixel camera, Nokia's Series 40 operating system and a 2.4-inch screen. The 6700 is to go for around $240, while the 7230 is to sell for around $150--both before taxes and possible subsidies.

For more:
- see this release on the R&D positions
- see this release on the new phones
- see these pictures and specs

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