In a bid to take on Apple and Blackberry in the smartphone segment, Nokia on Monday launched its latest business phone, the E7, with a price tag of Rs 29,999. To drive uptake, Nokia has tied up with Vodafone to offer 2GB data a month free for six months. The offer is applicable on 3G and 2G (for both pre-paid and post paid consumers).

Mr D. Shivakumar, Vice-President and Managing Director, Nokia India, said, “The smartphone market in India is witnessing a phenomenal growth. Trends such as 3G, social networking and video will further drive this growth in the coming years. Consumers today, seek a device that allows them to do a lot more — both in their personal and professional lives.”

“Nokia E7 is an all-in-one business smartphone that offers a superior ‘mobile office' experience coupled with compelling entertainment options. We are confident that with the Nokia E7, we will redefine the consumers' expectations from the smartphone segment,” he added.

The phone boasts of Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support, alongside a four-inch AMOLED (Active-matrix organic light-emitting diodetouch screen display), which uses Nokia's Clear Black technology for improved outdoor visibility. To compliment the 4 inch touch screen, Nokia E7 has a slide out four-row QWERTY keyboard. However, the handset, with 16 GB internal memory, runs on the Symbian operating system. Nokia had recently announced that it will use Microsoft Windows 7 on its new smartphones starting 2012.

Keeping Indian consumers in mind, Nokia has introduced over 10,000 pieces of locally relevant content on the Ovi Store. This includes 3 business channels in a Web TV format free of cost.

Other pre-loaded applications include Mail for Exchange, IBM Lotus Notes Traveler, Quick office Dynamic Premium, Vlingo, Adobe PDF reader, World traveler App, F-Secure anti-theft software for mobile and Ovi Maps with free GPS navigation.

The handset will be available across the country from today starting with Nokia Priority Stores. Consumers with credit cards from Citibank, HDFC Bank, Standard Chartered and ICICI Bank can also purchase the device under an EMI scheme and pay for it in three instalments at zero percent interest. The scheme is available through over 176 Nokia Priority outlets across eight cities Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmadabad and Chandigarh.

The launch comes at a time when the Finnish handset maker is facing challenge from the likes of Apple, Blackberry and Samsung in the smartphone segment. While Apple's top end iPhone 3G is available on Airtel network for Rs 36,100, Blackberry Torch 9800 was launched last year with a price tag of Rs 35,000. Apple's 16GB iPad 1 is priced at Rs 31,900.

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