Jolla Set to Join Global Smartphone Market - Wall Street Journal

The global market for smartphones is set to get even more crowed as a new device–dubbed Jolla –will hit some European countries with a 399 euros ($513) price tag later this year. The Jolla is the creation of a clutch of former Nokia Corp. executives and software developers who started Jolla Ltd. in Helsinki in 2011 after leaving the Finnish handset giant. Jolla took over the Meego operating system developed originally by their former employer, and renamed it the Sailfish operating system. Jolla's plans to launch a phone running this operating system have been known since last summer, but the company on Monday gave potential buyers their first look at the phone and the initial details on specifications, calling on interested parties to already put down deposits. Sailfish is open software, and it can run applications developed for Google Inc.'s   Android operating system, and the device will be supported in 4G networks in some European countries. Specific marketing information, including where it will initially be available, will be announced closer to the actual availability date. Marc Dillon, Jolla's head of software development called the new Jolla "a truly independent and open alternative in mobile." Mr. Dillon had been chief executive of Jolla at one point. While Jolla, which means in Finnish a small roving and sailing dingy, has considerable expertise within its ranks and is using software technology largely developed by another company, the path to success promises to be difficult given the wide array of phones available and the dominance of a few top players. The EUR399 price tag means the Jolla will sell at a price lower than the top-end devices by Nokia Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Other features include a 4.5-inch touchscreen display and a removable rear panel called the Other Half. This Other Half comes in different colors, and the operating system changes its ambiance and functionality on the screen, depending on which of the two Other Half accessories are clipped on. The biggest selling point, however, may be Sailfish, based on Nokia's Meego system. Nokia shelved Meego in favor of Microsoft Corp.'s   Windows Phone software in a major strategic shift a couple of years ago, but the operating system had amassed a devoted following among some smartphone users. The user interface is controlled solely with swipes and gestures; there are no navigation keys. The device has a dual-core processor and 8 megapixel camera. It will feature a user-replaceable battery. Prospective buyers can place pre-orders at different categories. For no charge a person can obtain a number to be among first buyers of Jolla. For 100 euros, buyers can purchase a limited edition model with an exclusive Other Half rear panel. via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNExNQPORwoFd3Rtqfvj65NTC1aIeQ&url=http://stream.wsj.com/story/latest-headlines/SS-2-63399/SS-2-236691/

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