Complacency led to 'panic sale'
I am writing in reference to Nokia surges on $7.2bn Microsoft deal (September 4).
The announcement hardly came as a surprise to most observers, as Finland-based Nokia has been struggling to stay relevant in this era of mobile telephony dominated by touch-screen smart phones.
Until the arrival of the iPhone in 2007, Nokia dominated the global market for mobile phones with its range of sturdy and efficient handsets.
However, the stupendous success of the iPhone, quickly followed by a whole range of smart phones from Samsung and others, mostly running Google's Android operating system, altered the mobile landscape forever.
Instead of recognising the trend and taking prompt countermeasures, Nokia chose to be complacent and quickly paid the price.
From commanding more than 60 per cent market share in 2007, Nokia's share has shrunk to a meagre 13 per cent, and that is bolstered by impressive sales of its low-end Asha range in India and other developing countries.
Nokia's Lumia range of smart phones running on Microsoft's operating system has garnered barely 3 per cent share of the global smart phone market since it was launched in 2011.
Given Google's acquisition of Motorola's mobile business in 2011 for $12.5 billion (Dh46 billion), Nokia's sale to Microsoft resembles a panic sale.
Amitabh Saxena, Dubai
Respect for those who work hard
Your editorial Poverty's cruel cycle (September 3) reminded me of a situation I experienced in Abu Dhabi.
When I lived in the penthouse of an apartment building, a family lived in a room that had been built on the roof.
When I first moved in and discovered people living on the roof, I was upset. But the longer I was there and watched the family obviously trying to make ends meet and raise two children, I came to respect them for trying to better themselves.
The woman was shy and embarrassed if we ever happened to open our doors at the same time, but I would always smile and say hello.
Occasionally the man and I would take the lift at the same time on our way to work. He was neatly dressed in trousers and a crisply pressed shirt and tie. We would bid each other a good day and get on our way.
They had not asked for the life they had been given, but they were trying to raise themselves above it.
It was not for me to condemn their living arrangements but to recognise that we are all part of one big melting pot of humans.
Name withheld by request
Indian authorities have failed women
I am writing in reference to More anger at travesty of gang-rape sentence (September 2).
The verdict of the Indian court to sentence the defendant to just three years in jail, because of his age at the time of the offence, has created mixed feelings among people.
As an Indian citizen, I feel the law should be changed so that anybody of 16 or older can be charged as an adult. At that age, everybody is aware of what they are doing.
The Indian government has completely failed to protect women in this case.
It took nearly eight months for the court to reach a judgement despite government promises that the matter would be fast-tracked.
K Ragavan, Indiia
Beauty contest has lost the plot
I refer to Indonesians protest against Miss World contest (September 4).
These beauty pageants have become more about who displays the most skin rather than the contestant's beauty and brains.
I think pageant authorities should remedy this situation.
Moiz SA, Sharjah
Pedestrian lifts in need of repair
Both the lifts have stopped functioning on the pedestrian overbridge just in front of Abu Dhabi Mall, and the lift entrances have become dumping grounds.
At the same time, the police have begun regular checks for pedestrians crossing the busy road at this spot.
While I believe this is a good move, it creates a problem for those who used to rely on the lifts, including elderly people, pregnant women and those with other physical challenges.
I hope the relevant authorities take urgent measures to repair the two lifts.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
