Tuesday, January 6, 2015

  Cheapest smartphone: Nokia 215 sets world record (VIDEO)

REDMOND, WA, USA -- Microsoft revealed the $29 Nokia 215, which will come with Facebook and Facebook Messenger pre-installed, and both apps will provide notifications; Microsoft said Twitter is also "easily accessible" and to surf the Web, Opera Mini Browser and Bing Search are also there, as is MSN Weather and a built-in MP3 player and FM radio; the Nokia 215 sets the world record for the Cheapest smartphone, according to the World Record Academy: www.worldrecordacademy.com/ .

  Photo: Microsoft Devices Group announced the Nokia 215, its most affordable Internet-ready phone. The Nokia 215 is designed to connect and introduce first-time mobile phone buyers to the Internet and new digital experiences. Available in both Single SIM and Dual SIM models, the Nokia 215 will expand the reach of Microsoft services at more affordable prices. ( enlarge photo )

The Guinness World Records' record for the largest smartphone ensemble is 223 people, in an event organized by Sohu IT and Vivo Xplay (both China) as part of the Vivo Xplay Mobile Music Festival at the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy in Beijing, China, on 15 June 2013.

  Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the largest animated mobile phone mosaic; it consists of 400 smartphones and was achieved by China Unicom, Sohu IT and HTC (all China), using China Unicom's WCDMA HSPA+ network, as part of the inaugural China Smart Device Games at the National Olympic Sports Centre in Beijing, China, on 13 July 2013.

     Despite its price, the Nokia 215 gets users online via the Opera Mini browser, Bing search, MSN Weather, Twitter (TWTR, Tech30) and Facebook (FB, Tech30).

   The phone also comes with Facebook's Messenger service for instant notifications. The smartphone will be available in bright green, black and white.

   It also sports a flashlight, which Microsoft said will be handy for those in developing regions with limited access to electricity. The phone will also pair with a Bluetooth headset or speaker.

   The battery lasts 29 days on standby -- an absolute must for some customers around the world who have infrequent access to electricity.

   But it won't be available in America. The Nokia 215 is getting released into "select markets" in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe during this first three months of this year.