Nokia is claiming a new ‘world first’ by putting a dedicated WhatsApp button on its forthcoming Asha 210 mobile phone. WhatsApp is a cross-platform real-time messaging application that handles around 20 billion messages per day and is believed to have around 200 million active users worldwide.
The Nokia Asha 210, which will be available in single SIM or dual-SIM versions, offers WiFi connectivity and a QWERTY keyboard. In addition to WhatsApp it includes support for Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. There’s also a 2 megapixel camera and a selection of free games.
Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president for mobile phones at Nokia, said “The Nokia Asha 210 really stands out giving super-social consumers new ways to express their personalities through design, colour and innovations like the world’s first WhatsApp button. It has been designed to allow people to easily update their social networks, stay in touch with friends and share user created content.”
Availability is expected within the next couple of months with SIM-free retail pricing from around $72 (£47).
[Nokia blog]