Big in Japan, Tosh' eyes UK

Toshiba might be the number two mobile manufacturer in its home country of Japan, but it's a relative newcomer to the UK market.

Here, it is battling for smartphone market share with rivals HTC and fellow entrant MWg.

Its portfolio looks promising so far, with four devices placed within key form levels. Three make up its Portege range; the G810 candybar touchscreen, G910 QWERTY clamshell in the style of a mini laptop, and the G710 BlackBerry-esque QWERTY candybar.

In addition there's the quirky G450; a unique compact handset that doubles as a USB mobile broadband modem.

Each handset in the Portege range could have been a serious contender against business offerings from more established manufacturers, thanks to Toshiba's strong identity in the laptop market.

But until now, the Japanese giant has been all but sleeping in the UK.

This is all about to change, according to Toshiba UK and Ireland country manager Med Jeewoth (pictured right) and Toshiba European marketing manager Sharon Johnson (pictured left), who is on a mission to see Toshiba handsets in major retail outlets as soon as possible.

Full version of article in Mobile News issue 420 (August 11, 2008).

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