This is a story that is hard to believe, given
the perception that the U.S. is *still* behind in the global wireless handset and service arena (but making rapid
progress). Nokia's new CEO - come June - says that trends starting in the U.S. have more impact on global trends than
the other way around. The "clamshell" design in many handsets is an example. I agree here, but this is one
example I can think of without too many others.Japan's KDDI and even carriers like Orange and Vodaphone in Europe have long created and outpaced the handset and feature technology trends given to - but not demanded by - U.S. customers. One thing the U.S. has not led in has been adoption of advanced mobile technology, but the gap is rapidly closing I think. Since Europe is pretty much standardized on GSM technology, advanced services bloomed there way before the U.S., and the advanced networks in Korea and Japan are ahead as well due to the preference of PacRim customers getting their internet fix from the mobile, not the PC. The U.S., which has two radically different standards (GSM and CDMA) - and had more just years ago - is catching up fast with newer high-speed data networks and advanced features that match and sometimes exceed across-the-pond offerings. But the U.S. becoming the global wireless trendsetter? It will take *years* to make progress on that front I think, and of course, Nokia wants to be there when it happens since it is not the top seller in the U.S. right now. That distinction goes to Motorola - pretty much due to the RAZR's success.
