Pour yourself a snifter of brandy and settle into your comfiest chair -- it's time for a history lesson! Click play on the video above to learn the history of phone-giant Nokia, from its humble roots producing paper through to constructing some of the greatest gadgets ever held by mortal men.
From war reparations to tyre manufacture, magnificent muttonchops to one seriously annoying ringtone, Nokia's past is absolutely fascinating. Founded nearly 150 years ago, the video above will fill your brain with facts that -- once deployed down the pub -- will make you sound so wise people will naturally assume you're a wizard.
It's no secret Nokia has fallen on hard times recently, with its much-hyped Nokia N8 smart phone proving to be about as much fun to use as a barb-wire toothbrush, and Apple's iPhone continuing to dominate in the mobile market.
But it wasn't always hardship and failure -- there were good times too for our favourite Finns. Documented in the video above you'll see some of Nokia's classic mobiles, from the Nokia 1100 that started it all, to the achingly cool 8110 that was featured in The Matrix. Heck, you've probably owned at least one of the blighters! Hit play now, and feel the tears well up as you remember those happy hours you spent playing Snake.
These days Nokia is putting its faith in Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system. But will cosying up to Microsoft be enough to save it?
Only time will tell, but we hope Nokia is still around in 10 years' time, continuing to churn out mobiles. Now if you'll excuse us, we're going to go to our cupboard, blow the dust off our Nokia 3210, and have a bit of a cuddle.
Do you love Nokia? Has our video history left you feeling sentimental? Or perhaps you can't stand Nokia and hope it falls flat on its face. Whatever your sentiments, sound off on our Facebook wall, or in the comments section below.
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Comments 7
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anonymous 29 September, 2011 16:56
Good video, but the N8 really didn't suck. In fact, it replaced two Android phones for me this year, so it can't be *that* bad!
anonymous 29 September, 2011 17:11
Summing up the N8 by saying it 'sucked' is a travesty. There's more tech in the N8 than the iPhone and the Galaxy S II put together. Yes, the early firmware was a bit rough, but that was four updates ago. Have any of you TRIED an N8 recently? Thought not. I have. Every day for a year. Read http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/features/item/13311_One_year_of_the_Nokia_N8.php
anonymous 29 September, 2011 22:19
uhm . i absolutely love my N8. can't really find much functionality with the iphone as it is more a toy than a functional phone, for me. my nephew just shows me funny stuff on his iphone, but gets bored with these until new funny apps come along. but it seems i have more functional stuff on my N8. the android-- a bit hard to use for me though the funny/fun stuff are nearly at par with the iphone. n8 is just the right balance for me: more functional stuff and it has a truly great camera. i think nokia will have better longevity because it aims for the essentials rather than just the eye candies. i'd predict that if Apple hasn't been releasing new phone versions every year, users would have discarded their iphones in a year's time. nokia users however hang on to their phones, even when a newer product comes along because the essentials remain useful and nokia updates their earlier models to keep them useful or nearly at par with the new models. i can't say i haven't considered iphone or android because i've tried them--some family members use these. but i still stick with my nokia's. i guess i've become a satisfied customer.
Drew Stearne 29 September, 2011 23:31
The N8 definitely has it's supporters but it might end up being too little too late. As good as a single phone can be the odds are now stacked against nokia in the smart phone world. Although there are those of you out there who love it and will defend it to the end the truth of the matter is that there aren't enough of you to support nokia through these harsh times.
But times can change quickly, nokia can still build great phones, evidently, as long as they can find a large audience again they'll be ok.
Jason Jenkins 30 September, 2011 09:56
Why you're all wrong http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/nokia-n8-reader-feedback-why-youre-all-wrong-50001304/
anonymous 30 September, 2011 17:48
nokia's maemo os in the n900 when released 2 years ago never recieved the credit it deserved. it was far better than IOS and android at the time.if you don't believe it then get hold of one and use it until you understand all of the features and then think where nokia could be today if it had adopted this as it's main OS and put it into phones of other shapes and designs. my n900 broke some time ago and they replace it with a N8 because the N900 is obsolete. and it's true. the N8 is crap and boring. i now have a samsung s2 but still miss my N900 because it's live multitasking was amazing and some integrated features of maemo don't exist with android.
now i want a N9. mainly because its considered a sequel to N900 and i want the multitasking again. looks like i wont be able to get one though soo i'll probably never have a nokia again. this still doesn't stop me from thinking that they're more capable than most phone manufacturers (just slow and indecisive). just think where samsung and htc would be today if google hadn't come about. however,microsoft are allowing them to customise their wp7 phones as much as they want so you never know.
anonymous 21 December, 2011 20:10
I am very much a Nokia fan. Many people still prefer Nokia over BB or even the iphone for two reasons. One, they don't like the vulnerabilities of the BB where the phone can easily be hacked, and two, I phone, yes, I agree you have competition there but I for one ( and I know many others are too) NOT too fond of touch phones. Nokia, should go back to those fantastic classic designs exactly as they are and add the up to date features on them such as blue tooth and camera etc.. put these on classic such as 3310 and the like ( as many people have ask Nokia for these in many forums) and see Nokia business fly right back up! I 'd be the first to buy an updated classic with same design and make as before.