Nokia to introduce 'Search' feature

Finnish handset maker Nokia plans to introduce a new feature on its mobile phones, 'Search', which will enable users to identify a particular locality at the click of a button.

The new feature helps customers to identify a place or a shopping mall or a food joint from their mobile phones, Nokia India director -- operator Channel V Ramnath said.

"We are planning to introduce the 'Search' option that gives out details about a particular locality or anything you want to know.

"For example, if you want to know a food joint in Nungambakkam (in Chennai), it will give out the details of food joints present nearby," he told reporters in Chennai.

According to him, the new feature aims to leverage the success of Nokia's 'Ovi Store' for mobile phone applications.

Citing a study, he said India was unique in the usage of internet on mobile phones, with a majority of users interested

in games, entertainment and sports.

"This is very different to those users in United States and Europe, who use internet just to access their mails," he said.

Ramnath and company officials were here to announce their association with telecommunication service provider Aircel to launch special 3G packages for Aircel customers using Nokia devices.

According to the new scheme, customers using a Nokia 3G phone can download 3 GB of data for 90 days, as well as avail 100 minutes of video calling services free of cost.

Currently, Nokia offers twenty 3G-enabled devices, which have price tags ranging from Rs 4,279 to Rs 35,000, he said.