Nokia keeps pushing on the Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) front, announcing its new 6301 handset should land in Europe later this year. The idea behind UMA phones is to offer seamless transitions between WLAN technologies like Wi-Fi and mobile access via GSM and 3G mobile networks. The multimode technologies enable users to integrate their land-line and mobile lives in a single handset. European mobile operator Orange will be one of the first to offer the 6301 later this year for about €230.
“The convergence of mobile and fixed/land-line technologies means consumers are looking for products that can help make their lives easier,” said Nokia’s senior V for mobile phones, Peter Ropke, in a statement. “With the Nokia 6301 utilizing UMA technology, worldwide triband GSM coverage is combined with superior indoor WLAN coverage to create a device that people can use in virtually any situation.
Feature-wise, the 6301 sports a 2-inch LCD display, 2 megapixel camera, an FM receiver, an integrated MP3 player, a speakerphone, and USB connectivity. The phone also offers 30 MB of user memory and microSD expandable storage: the phone will ship with a 128 MB microSD card and support cards with up to 4 GB of capacity. Although the phone comes with a charging desk stand, it doesn’t look like Bluetooth is on board.