Beiruting News

Microsoft today unveiled a cheap, internet-enabled Nokia phone that it hopes will help it increase its market share in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

The phone costs $29 (£19) and comes with the Opera Mini Browser and Facebook Messenger built in, and can run Twitter and other apps. Despite that, it is mostly a low-spec phone - with a 320 x 240 pixel display, a 0.3 megapixel camera, a radio and a torch as its headline features.

But that is likely to help it pick up buyers in the budget market, especially in developing countries. And the lack of hi-tech features mean that it is a robust phone, built to be durable and with a battery that Microsoft says can last up to 29 days on standby.

The software is also built for more difficult terrains, and the built-in apps can work without a 3G connection.