Summary
Under the Human Mobile Devices umbrella, the company that has been manufacturing Nokia phones for the past seven years is beginning to branch out into its own technology. In addition to teasing the next HMD-branded phones, the firm announced today at MWC 2024 that it would be working with Mattel to create a Barbie flip phone. Between now and July, four new phones are expected to be released; some will probably have the Nokia name, while others will carry the HMD brand.
Your Barbie Dream Phone Is About to Become a Reality
The company’s future roadmap was shared with the teaser graphic below, but no phones were actually shown today. The company has stated that in addition to working with companies like Mattel, it would produce its own hardware. The first smartphone will be released in May and will either have the Nokia or HMD label. The Barbie phone is scheduled to launch in July of this year. The only thing we know about the Barbie phone is that it will be pink.
Regarding the Barbie phone, HMD stated, “Promising style, nostalgia and a much-needed digital detox, this retro feature phone will flip the script on smartphone culture and will be this summer’s hottest accessory.” Given how well HMD has performed in the past with flip phones under the Nokia name, it will be fascinating to see what sets this one apart from the others. HMD stated in an interview with The Verge that the Barbie phone is not a rebranded version of an already-existing phone. Rather, it is a whole new gadget.
HMD also hinted at potential collaborations with other companies. The Verge was asked by Adam Ferguson, the global head of innovation, proposition, and product marketing at HMD, “Are there any other collaborations outside working with Mattel? Indeed. Are they as big and as superior than Mattel? Indeed. At this point, may I tell you what those are? Without a doubt not.
barbie flip phone real
HMD stated that it will maintain its focus on sustainability in its next products, which will feature gadgets that are simpler to fix than the typical smartphone. Although the firm hasn’t disclosed any details yet, it claims that the next phones will prioritize the features that it first introduced with the Nokia G22 at MWC 2023.
HMD Fusion, a new project that appears to be a modular smartphone component for at least one of its forthcoming products, is the subject of the company’s last teaser. The company is also offering a Fusion toolbox online that anybody can use to create what they call “smart outfits”. These seem to be the future phone’s rear panels, but it’s hoped that users may fiddle with the technology to add more functionality to the back of the phone.
hot pink flip phone
According to an HMD press release, “HMD Fusion will have next-generation design innovation, such as hardware connections integrated right in, enabling a limitless number of new applications to extend the capabilities of HMD Fusion with what we call “smart clothes.” Examples presented during the MWC 2024 exhibition included a phone’s back that included a gaming controller or a barcode scanner. These components reminded me of the modular back of the LG G5 or Motorola’s Moto Mods. As HMD approaches release in the upcoming months, we anticipate learning more.
