Nokia, once the world’s top mobile phone makers, will make a comeback on the smartphone market in the first half of 2017, the company and its licensee said recently. The organisation, which is now a leading telecom equipment maker, has licenced its brand to HMD Global, which is to launch its first Nokia smartphone products early next year.

The Finnish company said HMD had received the green light to proceed with production after completing all necessary transactions with its Taiwanese manufacturing partner, FIH Mobile of FoxConn Technology Group, and with US tech giant Microsoft which had bought the unprofitable phone business from Nokia in 2014.

“HMD can begin operations as the new home of Nokia phones, under an exclusive global brand license for the next ten years,” excluding Japan, Nokia said in a statement.

Microsoft’s venture into phone manufacturing cost it $7.2 billion in 2014, but proved short-lived last May, when it said it would sell its feature phone business to HMD Global and FIH Mobile for $350 million (329.4 million euros).

Microsoft also decided to end its smartphone manufacturing in Finland, letting go of some 1,350 smartphone makers and former Nokia employees.

When Nokia sold its phone business to Microsoft, it agreed not to get back into smartphones until the last quarter of 2016. With the restriction no longer valid next year, HMD can begin making new smartphones under the Nokia brand.

“Nokia branded feature phones remain one of the most popular choices of mobile phone in many markets around the world today and HMD will continue to market them… alongside a new range of smartphones and tablets to be announced later by HMD,” Nokia said.

Nokia is not a shareholder in HMD, but will receive royalty payments for sales of each mobile phone and tablet sold under its brand.

‘Dronejacking’ may be the next big cyber threat

A big rise in drone use is likely to lead to a new wave of ‘dronejackings’ by cybercriminals, security experts recently warned. A report by Intel’s McAfee Labs said hackers are expected to start targeting drones used for deliveries, law enforcement or camera crews, in addition to hobbyists.

High-jumping robot could aid in earthquakes, building collapses

An agile jumping robot that was inspired by some of the animal world’s best leapers could one day help in rescue efforts after earthquakes or building collapses, US scientists said Tuesday.

Known as Salto, the 10-inch (26 centimetre) tall robot can jump higher than a bullfrog and almost as high as a galago, or bush baby, a small primate found in Africa.

The robot can jump up to one yard (one metre) in less than one second, according to the report in the journal Science Robotics.

— AFP