Nokia unveils the Asha 501

Nokia has unveiled the Asha 501, the first device to run on the new Asha platform, which is designed to make the experience faster and more responsive.

The device is available in a choice of six colours. It comes in two parts: a removable casing and the scratch-resistant glass display, which features a three-inch, capacitive touchscreen and a single ‚’back’ button. The compact new Asha weighs only 98 grams.

The Nokia Asha 501 is built to make it easier for people to access everything they love, with a simple swipe and a choice of two main screens: Home and Fastlane.

Home is a traditional, icon-based view for launching individual apps or accessing a specific feature, like the dialler or phone settings. The new Fastlane view shows recently accessed contacts, social networks and apps, unique to each person, are stored and presented in Fastlane. It provides a record of how the phone is used, giving people a glimpse of their past, present and future activity, and helping them multi-task by providing easy access to their favorite features.

Smarter and more personal Internet experiences

The new Asha comes with Nokia Xpress Browser pre-loaded, which compresses Internet data by up to 90%. This is aimed at making mobile browsing faster and more affordable. Nokia also announced the availability of Nokia Xpress Now, a new Web application that recommends content based on location, preferences and trending topics. It will be available via the Browser homepage or as a download from Nokia Store.

The phone’s battery is said to last up to 48 days and is the first device to use the Asha platform, which leverages Nokia’s investments in Smarterphone, a company which Nokia acquired in 2012.

The new Asha platform provides developers with an open, standards-based environment for creating quality apps for consumers. Developers can create apps for the Nokia Asha 501 that will be compatible with future Asha platform-based devices.

Many of the most popular applications are already available or in development for the Nokia Asha platform, including CNN, eBuddy, ESPN, Facebook, Foursquare, Line, LinkedIn, Nimbuzz, Pictelligent, The Weather Channel, Twitter, WeChat, World of Red Bull and games from Electronic Arts, Gameloft, Indiagames, Namco Bandai and Reliance Games. WhatsApp and other key partners continue to explore new Asha.

The HERE experience, based on Nokia’s location-based platform, will also be available as a download for the Nokia Asha 501, starting in Q3 2013 and will initially include basic mapping services.

‚”The new Nokia Asha 501 raises the bar for what is possible in affordable smartphone design and optimisation,‚” said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. ‚”The synergy between the physical design and the engine that is the new Asha platform has created a smartphone with both style and substance at a great price.‚”

Product specifications and availability The Nokia Asha 501 is available in single or EasySwap Dual SIM models. All come with WiFi and Bluetooth. Other specifications:

· Dimensions: 99.2 x 58 x 12.1 mm: 98 grams

· Camera: 3.2 MP

· Single SIM standby time: up to 48 days

· Dual SIM standby time: up to 26 days

· Talk time: up to 17 hours

· Additional memory of 4GB (card included in box), expandable up to 32GB

· Available colours: Bright Red, Bright Green, Cyan, Yellow, White and Black

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