Microsoft Unveils Nokia 215, a $29 Phone With Internet Access

An anonymous reader sends word of the Nokia 215, Microsoft's $29 internet-ready phone. "Smartphones may be more affordable than ever, but, for quite a few people, they are still too expensive. And they offer short battery life, pretty much across the board. It is not a winning combination, especially for those living in developing markets, looking to be connected to the Internet while on the go. Enter Nokia 215, a dirt-cheap Internet-ready phone, which Microsoft announced earlier today. It packs some of the most-important features people want in a smartphone, but without any of the major drawbacks. The software giant calls it its "most affordable Internet-ready entry-level phone yet", costing just $29."

Comments

It may not be for me...

[Kokuyo]

But I find this pretty awesome.

Got Root?

[McGruber]

Here is what else you should know about Nokia 215. It has a 2.4-inch display, 0.3 MP camera on the back (which can shoot video), 8 MB of RAM (that is not a typo)

Well that's one way to keep Android from being ported to it...

Re:I don't get "smartphones are too expensive"

[Rik Sweeney]

what exactly is the point of this?

In some countries, people only earn a couple of dollars a day. They still want access to the internet, but paying hundreds of dollars (hell, even a hundred dollars) to do it on their phone is madness. A $29 phone is precisely what they want (and even at this price, I imagine a few people might have to give this investment some serious thought first).

Both Microsoft and Google (read: Android phone manufacturers) have moved to the emerging markets as they can see its potential. I have no idea why Apple aren't tapping into this, maybe they know their customers will blindly buy their next phone regardless of its features or price.