Telecom Lead Europe: Struggling handset manufacturer
Nokia has partnered with HARMAN, a supplier of premium audio and infotainment
system, to develop wireless consumer audio technologies exclusively for the
Nokia Lumia range.
HARMAN’s JBL brand and the Finnish major will jointly
develop and co-brand the exclusive line of products.
The partnership will help Nokia to augment Lumia sales,
which is expected to take off after the launch of Lumia Windows 8 smartphone.
Nokia shipped 2.2 million Lumia smartphones in last quarter:
IDC
Finnish handset maker Nokia shipped 2.2 million Lumia
smartphones in the quarter ended in March, according to IDC.
The products line will include a range of speakers
delivering room-filling acoustics that will equipped with wireless connectivity
through Bluetooth and NFC technology.
These products will be leveraging NFC for next generation
Lumia phone based on Windows Phone 8.
Sachin Lawande, executive vice president of HARMAN and
co-president of HARMAN Lifestyle and Infotainment, said that the company seeks
to further collaborate with mobile leaders to bring next generation
connectivity technologies.
Recently, JBL and Nokia unveiled the JBL PlayUp Portable
Wireless Speaker for Nokia at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin.
JBL PlayUp Portable Wireless Speaker for Nokia comes with
a specially designed bass port which acts as a woofer, ensuring incredible low
end sound with minimal audible air turbulence.
The PlayUp Portable has a maximum output of 89dBand
connects easily and wirelessly to any existing Lumia phone via Bluetooth and
for Lumia phones based on Windows Phone 8, by tapping to connect with NFC.
It also comes with a standard 3.5mm headphone standard
audio connector to connect with any mobile phone, computer or MP3 player.
The PlayUp Portable is available in cyan, white, black
colors. JBL claims that the speakers offer more than 10 hours of continuous
music with a single charge.
Hans Henrik Lund, vice president and head of Nokia Gear,
said the JBL PlayUp Portable Wireless Speaker for Nokia is testimony to the
company’s long-term strategy of working with the industry’s best to create
unbeatable products for consumers
Priced at 149 euro, the JBL PlayUp Portable Wireless
Speaker for Nokia will start shipping before the end of the year.
