nokia

Reuters is reporting that Nokia will start to call its phones by names rather than numbers. This follows similar moves by almost every other top phone manufacturer (Motorola, LG, Samsung and others). This comes after Nokia noted that it will work to make its phones thinner.

"What you will see coming from us in the future is not just a numbering system, you are going to start to see names that carry a meaning and are important to consumers," Keith Pardy, head of marketing at Nokia

Analysts have noted that consumers have a hard time recalling model numbers but have no trouble remembering iconic names like RAZR or Chocolate.

Nokia today announced the next generation of both its 8800 and L'amour lines. These phones have evolved to pair high fashion styling with upgraded features. The 8800 has been updated with a slightly curvier form and a better camera, while the L'amour line has been updated with a new phone and new colors - a more masculine bronze and black design and a more feminine pink one.

Verizon has launched the Nokia 6215i, an entry-level CDMA clamshell phone. The handset has few notable features beyond a VGA camera and speakerphone, however it is still noteworthy. The 6215i is the first Pantech-produced Nokia to be sold through the carrier. Previous models that Nokia has re-badged for Verizon have been sold through resellers, but never on the carrier's store. The 6215i is also the first handset for the US with full color OLED main display.

Nokia today announced a way for internet users to interact with some of the web's favorite services while they are away from their PC's, in a pocketable, easy to use device.

Nokia N80 Internet Edition brings together wireless LAN (WLAN), a robust browser, support for internet calls, a 3-megapixel camera, and quad-band GSM WCDMA coverage along with an easy to use WLAN wizard (to make connecting to the internet easy), and a host of other internet services not previously installed together on Nokia devices.

Nokia has made another content acquisition, this time it's Germany-based gate5. Earlier this month Nokia bought out Loudeye to help build a Nokia music store. Nokia is predicting rapid growth in the personal navigation vertical and hopes to jump on board:

The acquisition of gate5 is an important step in developing the new product category of multimedia computers that offer people multiple ways to connect to information, entertainment and other people.

On the morning of September 9th, New Yorkers will experience a new way to shop for wireless devices when Nokia opens its second US Flagship Store in New York's exclusive Fifth Avenue shopping district at 5 East 57th Street.

Featuring the widest selection of Nokia devices available, Nokia Flagship Stores feature an interactive, high-energy retail environment dedicated to educating customers and pairing them with the perfect wireless device.

Verizon Wireless has launched the Nokia 6215i. Despite the Nokia branding, the 6215i is actually made by Pantech and originally went by the moniker PN-315. Nokia's CDMA strategy has been up in the air after Nokia called off a proposed partnership with Sanyo. Nokia has a contract with Pantech to brand two handsets, the 6215i and the 6315i. Nokia's new CEO is committed to succeeding in the US market, but without a serious CDMA play the company can't reach half of the country.

Nokia will open a flagship store in Helsinki on Saturday after opening similar stores in Moscow, Chicago and Hong Kong since 2005.

The Nokia Flagship Store in Helsinki showcases a wide portfolio of Nokia products and services, including the exclusive Nokia Vertu phones available for the first time in Finland. At the store, consumers will be able to set up their new devices, review service provider options and test the range of mobile enhancements related to their new phone.

Nokia today announced the availability of the Nokia N93 Golf Edition, a special package combining mobile video capabilities of the Nokia N93 multimedia computer with a unique golf application that enables you to capture your golf swing, analyze and improve your game by split screen swing comparison and other advanced analysis tools.

The Pro Session Golf by Nokia application has a ready to use golf-tailored viewfinder that instantly captures a player's swing from the correct angles and distances.

Nokia's second quarter earnings statement shows strong handset sales growth in almost every market besides North America. In North America Nokia's handset shipments decreased 13.3% to just 5.2 million. Latin America was flat, all other markets saw double digit increases.

Key figures:

• Estimated market share of 34%, up from 33% a year ago
• Total device shipments hit 78.