Nokia and Microsoft have decided to join forces. They say this “broad strategic partnership” will allow them to “create a new global mobile ecosystem.” They will be able to create new products and services while also pushing existing offerings globally.
- Nokia would help drive the future of Windows Phone. Nokia would contribute its expertise on hardware design, language support, and help bring Windows Phone to a larger range of price points, market segments and geographies.
- Nokia and Microsoft would closely collaborate on joint marketing initiatives and a shared development roadmap to align on the future evolution of mobile products.=
- Bing would power Nokia’s search services across Nokia devices and services, giving customers access to Bing’s next generation search capabilities. Microsoft adCenter would provide search advertising services on Nokia’s line of devices and services.
- Nokia Maps would be a core part of Microsoft’s mapping services. For example, Maps would be integrated with Microsoft’s Bing search engine and adCenter advertising platform to form a unique local search and advertising experience
- Nokia’s extensive operator billing agreements would make it easier for consumers to purchase Nokia Windows Phone services in countries where credit-card use is low.
- Microsoft development tools would be used to create applications to run on Nokia Windows Phones, allowing developers to easily leverage the ecosystem’s global reach.
- Nokia’s content and application store would be integrated with Microsoft Marketplace for a more compelling consumer experience.
“Today, developers, operators and consumers want compelling mobile products, which include not only the device, but the software, services, applications and customer support that make a great experience. Nokia and Microsoft will combine our strengths to deliver an ecosystem with unrivalled global reach and scale. It’s now a three-horse race.” – Stephen Elop, Nokia President and CEO
“I am excited about this partnership with Nokia. Ecosystems thrive when fueled by speed, innovation and scale.The partnership announced today provides incredible scale, vast expertise in hardware and software innovation and a proven ability to execute.” — Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft CEO
While Neither party mentioned Google or Apple during their announcement at a joint news conference in London, the evidence can’t be denied. Android just recently beat out Nokia as the top smartphone in the US and Windows Phone 7 hasn’t exactly taken the smartphone market by storm. The saying goes “if you can’t beat them, join them.” Rather than join Team Android, it looks like Nokia will dig in with Microsoft and battle it out.
And what of Symbian and Meego? The future of Meego isn’t looking so bright with head of Meego Alberto Torres stepping down from the management team yesterday.
Under the new strategy, MeeGo becomes an open-source, mobile operating system project. MeeGo will place increased emphasis on longer-term market exploration of next-generation devices, platforms and user experiences. Nokia still plans to ship a MeeGo-related product later this year.
Symbian’s future seems just slightly brighter, but I’m not sure developers are going to be too happy about it:
With Nokia’s planned move to Windows Phone as its primary smartphone platform, Symbian becomes a franchise platform, leveraging previous investments to harvest additional value. This strategy recognizes the opportunity to retain and transition the installed base of 200 million Symbian owners. Nokia expects to sell approximately 150 million more Symbian devices in the years to come.
We will just have to see if, by their powers combined, Microsoft and Nokia will be competition for Apple and Google in the mobile market. Check the full press releases below for all the details.