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Nokia launches bike-powered handset

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-06-04 10:01

The cheapest of the new handsets - the Nokia C series - is the C1-00, expected to retail for around 30 euro ($36). It is also the firm's first model with a 2-in-1 double SIM card solution.

"By simply holding down a key people are able to switch between SIM cards," Vice President Alex Lambeek said. "This enables them to take advantage of reduced call rates, flexibility when traveling from one country to another or helps with sharing a phone within a family and still use their own SIM card."

A Nokia bicycle charger kit.  [Nokia.com]

The C1 has a standby battery time of up to six weeks and features a flashlight and radio, both aimed at regions where electricity is scarce.

The Nokia C2, with an expected price tag of 45 euro ($55), has dual SIM standby capability that keeps both SIM cards active, meaning that calls and text messages can come to either number while the handset is on. One of the cards sits under the battery while the other SIM card is removable without turning off the phone.

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The C2 also has the possibility of storing micro-SD cards with 32 gigabytes of memory for music, photos and other data.

Nokia has recently been faced by strong competition in the high-end smart phone market, particularly from RIM's Blackberry, Apple's iPhone and Google's Android, but has maintained its leading global position. In another strong move to grab new customers in emerging markets it launched three less-expensive smart phones in April, including its first model expected to sell for less than 100 euro ($125).

Nokia has been the top handset maker since 1998. Last year, it sold 432 million handsets.

It is based in Espoo, near Helsinki, and employs around 126,000 people worldwide.