Yesterday I wrote a post entitled, “Nokia Dumps VoIP” that highlighted the fact that Nokia had withheld the native Nokia SIP client, the one which has been present in the bulk of Nokia’s previous models, in two upcoming N series phones, the N78 and the N96. Apparently my focus on the fact that Nokia was dumping VoIP on these models struck a cord with Nokia’s PR firm, Communicano, as I was asked to more clearly present the fact surrounding this news.
Since I respect Andy and his team I would like to clearly present the facts from Nokia here, as well as my thoughts and some additional commentary from others within the space about this announcement so that you be the judge on what is really happening here.
Let’s start with what Nokia says:
What does this mean?
What are others saying?
None of this bodes well for Nokia and reminds me of something Seth Godin writes about telling a story,
“A great story is true. Not necessarily because it’s factual, but because it’s consistent and authentic. Consumers are too good at sniffing out inconsistencies for a marketer to get away with a story that’s just slapped on.”
This is the real story here – Nokia’s story has some inconsistencies and folks are merely pointing it out.
When Nokia decided to tell the story of open standards and VoIP, it made a commitment to ensure that the facts back up that story at every turn. Although Nokia hasn’t completely turned their back on VoIP, this release is not consistent with the story they have been telling of late.
When a company like Truphone, who I know works with Nokia, states they believe Nokia is dropping VoIP from their N series line completely, it tells me that regardless of what their intention was, Nokia’s message here was not consistent with what we have all come to expect and thus why folks are stating that it looks like Nokia is dumping VoIP.
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At the moment seems to me too early to come to a conclusion: when we'll see what are the differences with the "old" SIP stack and how big is the improvment we'll judge their move.
@Paolo:
You are probably right.
Nokia's move sucks, although they try to hide it.
Nokia says that it's no problem that they have removed the native SIP client from their latest handsets, since companies can develop their own VoIP software based on great APIs. But it's not as easy as Nokia is trying to say: There are hundreds or thousands of companies without an own software for mobile VoIP. They just rely on the SIP standard. In Germany it's GMX, 1&1, Sipgate and the several Betamax daughters. Together they have millions of customers, I am one of them. These people cannot use VoIP on the new Nokia phones.
I have always ten or more VoIP providers installed on my Nokia E61i's SIP client. This way I can always use the cheapest route and leverage free on net calls. It would be nasty if had to install ten or more pieces of software for that purpose. So as a VoIP tinkerer I have to stay with the older Nokia devices.
It's obvious why companies like Fring, Truphone, Gizmo5, Vyke and others are applauding the Nokia move. It ties their customer to them and makes it more difficult to use other companies' offers. With a native SIP client, which allows to be connected to several different SIP services at the same time, I can be promiscuous. Even the most disruptive mobile VoIP companies prefer to lock me in their walled garden, but I don't want that.
I still believe that pressure from mobile operators has caused this move of Nokia. HSDPA and HSUPA have brought great bandwith to the latest handsets, enough to use it for Voice over 3G.
@ Markus:
I agree with most of your points, however, if you read Om's post, he has a statement from Truphone that wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement for Nokia.
Gizmo is pro-Nokia here because they are a "service aggregator", able to function, in many ways, like the native client (IE you can use different services via Gizmo). Pure speculation here, but quite possibly Gizmo and Nokia struck a deal for Gizmo to replace the native SIP client on some devices...
I'd send my N95 back if I could. When code is already written and working and then it's removed, it tells me we're all walking down a dead end street with Nokia. Too bad.
I agree, just picked up an new N96 yesterday, shocked isn't the word, I had a quick play in the shop saw the SIP stack and thought ok. I got home to find I couldn't log on to my Sipgate account. Bloody pain in the arse. I may return the phone and move away from Nokia, I've had their handsets since 1992, with one Ericsson in 16yrs! Their tight VOIP integration and was the main reason I didn't switch to the iPhone. All bets are off now. Bad move Nokia you really know how to PISS your customers off.
See this post on Nokia's Support Discussions Board for some real info. http://discussions.europe.nokia.com/discussions/board/message?board.id=smartphones&message.id=111954
@ Make:
What makes that real and what is above fake?
I said the same thing they did, except there is no sugar coating. Nokia removed the SIP client - not the stack - but you can't use the stack because you don't have a client!
Therefore VoIP functionality was removed for the normal everyday end-user.
N85 and following products having voip will support new version of the integrated voip called voip rel 3.0 see http://www.forum.nokia.com/main/resources/technologies/voice_over_IP/voip_support_in_nokia_devices.html
Make,
Yes I hear N79 and N85 will have the nice Nokia voip client. So did the N95 and N95 8 GB. My question is why did the N96 get ignored? I saw the SIP stack on the N96 at the store so I assumed it would have what my old N95 had. Then I got home and got slapped by Nokia in the face after using their phones for 13 years.
Improved SIP stack my arse. What good is an improved SIP stack if there's no client to use it? If Nokia don't make the VoIP client available via download/firmware for the N96 in the very near future, they've definitely lost me and the people I influence.