NOKIA 3310 BACK AGAIN

The Nokia 3310 mobile phone has near iconic status.

Released in 2000, it is among the best-selling phones of all time, with 126m units produced.

It was renowned for being virtually indestructible and for launching many of us onto the first rung of our connected lifestyles.

Many people in their 30s and upwards remember it as the first cool phone they owned, or the phone their friends had that made them jealous.

Rumours have emerged that the phone is set for a relaunch, though this has yet to be confirmed by Nokia.

But, with a wealth of extensive technology packed into today's huge choice of ultra slim smartphones, is there really still a market for this Nokia relic?

Part of the appeal of the 3310 was its simplicity.

Not all users desire a complex device which can perform hundreds of different functions, particularly older user groups.

The fact that the 3310 performs calls and texts alone is likely still to be a selling point for a certain group of users.

But from a design perspective, the phone also followed several key rules of thumb, meeting the needs and wants of users (user-centred design), rather than forcing them to adopt new practices.

The minimalist screen setup made it very easy to quickly interpret the phone's battery and signal status, and there was little content so users didn't have to remember complicated routes through menus.

The phone itself was relatively aesthetically pleasing (for its time), and easily fit in a pocket, unlike many current large smartphones and phablets.