For every cool fire-starting smartphone or ultra-thin tablet shown off at MWC this year, there come at least five AI-heavy announcements sure to make you groan. HMD, makers of Nokia phones (remember those?), has taken the AI route this year, revealing that several modern features, like AI, are coming to its ‘dumb phone’ line-up.
You know, the devices you buy to escape the onslaught of AI and social media prevalent on smartphones today.
“At the heart of this announcement is HMD’s ambition to bring essential digital services to those who remain under-connected, while also delivering thoughtful innovation for mature markets, including solutions tailored for older adults,” it wrote. It really begs the question of why it got into the feature phone business in the first place.
Maybe it won’t be that bad…
Now you might want a feature phone loaded up with all sorts of AI and video-calling features, but the rest of us? No thanks. Especially if the company is truly abandoning the “real” dumb phone experience in favour of… whatever this is. The company’s strategy isn’t exactly clear on whether these features will infect all its devices.
If modern features are headed for all of HMD’s feature phones, they will likely see a price hike — removing the need for them entirely. The first feature — a built-in digital wallet — could actually prove handy for everyone, dumb phone or not. The service is expected to launch in India first, with plans to chase global expansion later.
Read More: HMD moves beyond phones, launches smartwatches and new headphones
Then there’s video calling, which will be available through the Xpress Chat app and whichever single-digit MP camera your formerly dumb phone is rocking. Finally, there’s an AI assistant. Need we say more? We probably should. HMD expects its newfound assistant to help users “perform everyday tasks using simple voice commands.” That means turning on the torch, making calls — you get the idea.
HMD did manage to win us over slightly by building its AI assistant with older folks in mind. It’s partnered with inTouch to pilot an AI assistant your nana might use. It’ll speak slowly, retain personal history, and engage in “meaningful, context-aware conversation.” The company confirmed that more details will be shared this year.
