More Details on Dell + Nokia
I was able to squeeze out some more details on this partnership recently. As you recall, last time I reported that Nokia and Dell had signed a distribution contract to offer up unlocked, unbranded Nokia handsets (mostly N-series) through Dell’s retail channels. This contract has been signed, and we should see the results in the next 4-6 weeks, according to my contact.
More information, though, is that Gateway is another retailer that has signed on. I personally find this fascinating, that of all the consumer electronics retailers in the US, Nokia hooked up with 2 online-only computer companies. It also speaks about how both Dell and Gateway are moving beyond just computers. They both now hawk LCD tvs, projectors, printers, etc. They are, essentially, consumer technology companies, rather than computer companies.
Anyways, back to the deets…….
Here’s a little Q&A that I had:
Me: How exactly is this going to look to the end consumer? Will Nokiausa.com redirect to Dell/Gateway?
Them: No. Nokiausa.com will remain separate. Dell and Gateway will simply offer Nokia’s products on their own pages
Me: Products - is that JUST handsets, or will it include accessories and Internet Tablets?
Them: We are waiting from Nokia to see what we are going to get, but
from what I have been told, it should be just about everything.
Me: Is Dell/Gateway going to do packaging? (I.e. buy a laptop, get a free N95)
Them: That’s a good question.
Me: Will Dell/Gateway offer activation, and subsidies, as well?
Them: No. They will simply provide the device.
Me: Will either Dell/Gateway or Nokia be doing a consumer education
campaign to show people why they would need an unbranded handset?
Them: I have no information on the marketing plans.
Me: The ultimate question: Warranty. If I buy through Dell and my N95 craps out, who do I call/send it to?
Them: You’d go through Dell from what I know. I know that the contract has return rights in it.
All great stuff, I’ll report anything else I can find out as soon as
possible. I for one am really excited about this, as Nokia is FINALLY
making more inroads to get their products to the mass market. Here is a
link to the Gateway page showing the N800 (and if you click on
"Smartphones" on the left, you get to the N80) as available. Stay tuned to Symbian-Guru.com as I press on for more info on this awesome partnership!
**Update** Thanks, Pete, for pointing out that Dell has the N800 up as well: http://tinyurl.com/2sqm4a
I haven’t yet found any phones on Dell, but I’ll keep checking.
Dell has three Nokia models listed as well, the N800, the N80IE and the E61. The N800 ships in 24 hours, but the others ship in “1-2 weeks”.
-Pete