Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) isn’t afraid to take a colorful jab at Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), even when its own future is a dark cloud hue of gray.
The meandering handset pioneer posted a shot on Twitter just minutes after Apple announced that its “cheap” iPhone 5C would be available in five different colors.
“Imitation is the best form of flattery,” reads the graphic showing off Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) Lumia’s lineup of colorful smartphones. It would have been a good shot if it were accurate. There’s just no way that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was trying to copy Nokia here. Why would it? Despite Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) spending billions to promote Windows Phone as a viable mobile operating system and now ready to fork over $7.2 billion for Nokia’s handset business, Mr. Softy’s platform is still commanding a meager 4% share of the market.
And it’s not as if this is the first time that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was willing to spin the color wheel. Anyone remember the original iMac line? What about the eventual iPods? If imitation really is the best form of flattery, the colorful Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) Lumia devices were actually a nod to Apple.
It gets worse.
Source: @nokia_uk on Twitter.
Just as Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) was tweeting its uppercut to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s midsection, the consumer tech giant was unveiling the beefed-up camera features of the new iPhone 5S.
The new iPhone 5S will hit the market a week from Friday with an all-new 8 megapixel iSight camera that features a larger aperture and sensor for better pictures. There’s also what Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) calls True Tone flash that adjusts color and intensity to make flash photos appear more natural.
The strongest selling point for Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK)’s Lumia line has been its camera. Lacking the same kind of app developer support as iOS and Android, Nokia has made it a point to emphasize its camera. It’s no surprise that the latest ad where Samsung and iPhone owners are battling one another at a school play that the cool Lumia owner is taking pictures from the back.
Is the new iPhone 5S camera better than what Lumia has to offer? That is going to be open for debate, largely because of the different features being offered. However, the dramatically improved camera in the iPhone 5S is going to make Lumia’s voice a little quieter here.
I guess imitation is the best form of flattery after all.
Say cheese, Nokia.
The article Nokia’s Shot at Apple Backfires originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Rick Munarriz.
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Apple. It also owns shares of Microsoft.
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