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Finnish startup Adaia set to launch $1,300 Android phone in 2014
Nokia's turmoils and subsequent mass layoffs have freed up plenty of smart people in the Finnish workforce to do their own thing. Rovio with Angry Birds, Jolla with Sailfish and now Adaia. The 16-person startup, led by former Nokia employee Heikki Sarajärvi, has revealed that it plans to launch a range of premium Android handsets at some point in 2014 in the US, UK and of course, Finland. By premium, we're looking at anywhere between $1,300 to $6,500, in return for the promise of extra ruggedness and durability as well as potential satellite connectivity. Why Android? Heikki says "there is no alternative," something we assume Stephen Elop would strongly disagree with. While there are no pictures to share today, local publication Digitoday got a chance to play with a prototype. They say the phone has a 4.8 inch screen and features the ability to hot-swap batteries without needing to turn the device off, though that feature hasn't been fully ironed out yet. One thing that might potentially turn some people off, aside from the exorbitant price, is the phone's weight -- final units are estimated to come in at between 240 and 250 grams, which is 60 grams heavier than even Nokia's tank-like Lumia 920. We've reached out to Adaia to request pictures and more info to find out what's the cause of all that bulk, so stay tuned.
Adaia talks up new rugged, seaworthy Android phone from team of Nokia vets
It still doesn't have a ton to show off, but we are now at least getting a better picture of what upstart Adaia has in store for its first smartphone. Speaking with AllThingsD, CEO Heikki Sarajarvi (just one of a number of former Nokia workers at Adaia) explained that he was driven to create the company after destroying one too many smartphones while sailing. Now, the company finally has a working prototype of its first device -- one that's not only rugged, but with both cellular and satellite connectivity to keep the more adventurous among us connected at all times. As for the hardware, Adaia says that it's partnered with BMW Group's DesignworksUSA on the industrial design, which is said to be inspired by a topographical map, while Elektrobit will be handling the inner bits. The phone will be dubbed the Blackcomb according to the company's website, and apparently won't be available to the public until sometime next year. It will, however, be put to the test this summer when a team attempts to cross the Northwest Passage with it in tow. It also, unsurprisingly, won't come cheap. As far as a price goes, Sarajarvi would only say that it'll cost more than a high-end smartphone, but less than the four phones he's had to replace put together.
