Microsoft, Nokia Teaming Up on Cell Phones

According to a Bloomberg News report, Microsoft and Nokia signed an agreement that will put Microsoft’s Office word-processing and spreadsheet software as well as corporate instant-messaging programs on Nokia phones.

Microsoft and Nokia will jointly market the products to businesses, wireless carriers, and consumers, the companies said.

Microsoft, with a new version of Office coming out next year, is looking to broaden the use of the product on computers, the Internet, and mobile phones. Nokia wants to lure business customers from Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerry by improving the way Nokia phones work with corporate applications. “This is about giving companies like RIM, or specifically RIM, a run for their money,’’ Robert Andersson, Nokia’s executive vice president for devices, said.

Microsoft's Office Mobile, which offers e-mail, word processing, PowerPoint and spreadsheets that will synchronise easily with desktop PC systems, could boost the appeal of Nokia phones.

Nokia will also sell phones that allow users to access internal company websites created with Microsoft’s SharePoint Server program. The Microsoft software will be available next year, initially on Nokia’s E-series phones for business users.

Nokia is both a rival and partner to Microsoft. While Nokia offers phones with competing operating systems, it uses Microsoft’s Exchange program to handle e-mail on some devices. Nokia also has a deal with Microsoft to put Windows Live Internet services on its phones, reported Bloomberg.

(August 12, 2009)

Best cell phone plans | Cell phone packages