Cuban Wallpaper Crisis threatens Nokia handsets, America

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 30th 2008 at 2:20PM

Personally, we're always excited to get free multimedia packs loaded on our phones -- wallpapers and ringtones don't come cheap, after all. We draw the line at multimedia packs of Cold War-era dictators, though, which is why Nokia's pretty fired up that some of its sets are being sold at retail in Russia preloaded with exciting Stalin-themed memorabilia. Apparently -- and we believe them -- Nokia has nothing to do with the unexpected bonus, saying that "even if Nokia was on the brink of ruin and release phones or panel with a portrait of Stalin was the only chance to save our business, Nokia [would not do] that." Admittedly, we're pretty curious to learn more about the doomsday scenario they're referring to where companies can only survive by Stalin-branding their products -- but for now, Nokia's recommending ~~comrades~~ shoppers steer clear of the "special edition" devices since they're clearly not factory sealed.

[Via textually.org]

Filed under: Culture, Nokia

Tags: nokia, russia, stalin

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

ekrus @ Dec 30th 2008 2:42PM

And this comes after Stalin landed 3rd in "The most popular historical figure in Russia" poll. Not a quickie poll, took 6 months, 50 out of 143 mil participated. Scary...http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4BR17620081228?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Neutral

carcomptoy @ Dec 30th 2008 2:49PM

I know it's not exactly a laughing matter, considering he's one of the most notorious figures in history, but the punny take on "Comes with Music" service is HILARIOUS! I can't stop laughing about Comes with Stalin...

Neutral

elgee02 @ Dec 30th 2008 2:51PM

Apparently killing millions upon several millions of Russians while ruling Russia makes you a pretty popular guy, who knew?

Neutral

Anthony @ Dec 30th 2008 4:10PM

Yeah, Bush's attempts to do the same certainly backfired.

Neutral

elgee02 @ Dec 30th 2008 4:17PM

Bush tried to kill millions upon several millions of Americans? I mean less than 10K have died fighting pointless conflicts in Iraq and Afganistan. Still a mere fraction of the Russians that died under Stalin rule to Stalin policies and practices.

That's a really piss poor analogy dude, there are a lot more clever and more intelligent ways to bash Bush.

Highest Ranked

Anthony @ Dec 30th 2008 4:42PM

I'll try harder next time. 20 days to go.

Highly Ranked

backbeat @ Dec 31st 2008 4:27AM

BushCo [and his bloodstained-handed supporters] is quickly approaching the 100K (civilian body count) figure in 7 years. Does that make him a Stalin-wannabe, comrad?

Neutral

elgee02 @ Jan 27th 2009 6:30PM

Fail.

I'm sorry, Stalin killed several MILLIONS of HIS OWN PEOPLE. Nothing Bush has done has or will EVER come even remotely close to that.

Neutral

thepenguin @ Dec 30th 2008 2:52PM

"Admittedly, we're pretty curious to learn more about the doomsday scenario they're referring to where companies can only survive by Stalin-branding their products"

does that refer to Motorola? o_O

Highest Ranked

derX @ Dec 30th 2008 3:41PM

"Admittedly, we're pretty curious to learn more about the doomsday scenario they're referring to where companies can only survive by Stalin-branding their products..."

xDDDD I seriously LOL'd. It was a thunderous laughter.

Chris, you're sooo full of win. You're Engadget's little Chuck Norris.

Neutral

RCC2k8 @ Dec 30th 2008 3:46PM

What does this has to do with Cuba? Stalin was Russian.

Highest Ranked

RCC2k8 @ Dec 30th 2008 3:48PM

@thepenguin: I guess Motorola can come up with a STLN phone.

Low Ranked

JustAGuy @ Dec 30th 2008 4:11PM

@RCC2k8
Read a history book sometime, and you will find out that the Cuban Missile Crisis was brinkmanship between the USA and USSR (JFK and Nikita Khrushchev, in specific). Therefore, the reference is valid.

Low Ranked

Blaxx @ Dec 30th 2008 4:12PM

The Cuban Missile Crisis involved Cuba, Russia and the US. After the Bay of Pigs operation failed, Castro declared Cuba a socialist republic and a Soviet satelite state and Russia started funding his military.

Highest Ranked

backbeat @ Dec 30th 2008 5:01PM

"After"? What rightwing-corrupted version of history are you reading from?

Eisenhower's withdrawal of support for puppet/butcher-Batista left the vacuum which Castro filled in '59. Basic industries [banking/agriculture/etc] were nationalized and became the funding necessary to support the Cuban military in early '60. Eisenhower's Bay of Pigs plan was accepted by Kennedy but the CIA [Dulles - An arch-enemy toward Kennedy] pulled air support.

Speak truth or do not speak.

Neutral