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  #1  
Old 02-11-2011, 04:03 PM
Jason Dunn
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Default Nokia and Microsoft Announce Plans for a Broad Strategic Partnership to Build a New Global Mobile Ecosystem

More analysis of what this means will come later, but for now, here's the official press release.

LONDON - Feb. 11, 2011 - Nokia and Microsoft today announced plans to form a broad strategic partnership that would use their complementary strengths and expertise to create a new global mobile ecosystem.

Nokia and Microsoft intend to jointly create market-leading mobile products and services designed to offer consumers, operators and developers unrivalled choice and opportunity. As each company would focus on its core competencies, the partnership would create the opportunity for rapid time to market execution. Additionally, Nokia and Microsoft plan to work together to integrate key assets and create completely new service offerings, while extending established products and services to new markets.

 

Under the proposed partnership:

  • Nokia would adopt Windows Phone as its principal smartphone strategy, innovating on top of the platform in areas such as imaging, where Nokia is a market leader.
  • 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," Stephen Elop, Nokia President and CEO, said at a joint news conference in London. "Nokia and Microsoft will combine our strengths to deliver an ecosystem with unrivalled global reach and scale. It's now a three-horse race."

"I am excited about this partnership with Nokia," said Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft CEO. "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."

 

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  #2  
Old 02-11-2011, 04:12 PM
virain
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I am really looking forward to see first Nokisoft phone, I hope Nokia brings in some very valuable features to WP7, s.a. front facing camera, ability to record phone calls, quality of a hardware, btw, I didn't use Nokia phones since mid 1990-s
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Old 02-11-2011, 05:24 PM
Lucy
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I am really looking forward to this union, also. I have been struggling with my decision for a windows phone 7 or a nokia n8 for my new upgrade. Now, if I wait a bit, I will have both wants filled. This is good news for me.
 
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Old 02-11-2011, 05:29 PM
Fritzly
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It will be interesting to see what will happen: Nokia OS has always been a very open and flexible one; I wonder how users will react to a very locked down OS as WP7.
 
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  #5  
Old 02-11-2011, 05:30 PM
Fritzly
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Oops, never mind:

Quote
We have established a relationship with Microsoft that allows Nokia to jointly drive the future of Windows Phone 7. To jointly define the language, functions and customizations that you�ll see in the future of Windows Phone 7. To have unique access to and the ability to do unique differentiating things relative to Android around software design, chipset support, and display configuration. And, of course, to ensure that it is competitive to Android and Apple.

At the same time we have to make sure we can differentiate within the Windows Phone ecosystem. Nokia has exclusive technologies � one example is our camera technology that you see on the N8 � and, because of this unique relationship with Microsoft, contribute capabilities like that to a Nokia Windows Phone 7 phone that you will not see on any other Windows Phone device.

We have the ability to do customizations and extensions to the software environment that are unique and therefore differentiate. It�s very important to understand this is not a standard OEM agreement. Microsoft is placing a big bet on us.
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Old 02-11-2011, 05:54 PM
Lee Yuan Sheng
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Translation: New phones from this alliance only coming out next year. :P
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Old 02-11-2011, 05:59 PM
Jason Dunn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng View Post
Translation: New phones from this alliance only coming out next year. :P
Honestly? I wouldn't be surprised to see them holiday 2011. Microsoft now has a standardized hardware spec that simplifies the process of bringing a phone to market. And since Nokia has acknowledged their "platform is burning" I think they'll move with reasonable speed.
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Old 02-11-2011, 08:42 PM
Janak Parekh
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Dunn View Post
Honestly? I wouldn't be surprised to see them holiday 2011. Microsoft now has a standardized hardware spec that simplifies the process of bringing a phone to market. And since Nokia has acknowledged their "platform is burning" I think they'll move with reasonable speed.
The question is, if they do somehow manage to launch for holiday 2011 (and, honestly, I have to agree with Yuan here: moving a large ship like Nokia takes time, plus they have to rebuild carrier contracts and other things), what will they launch? If they launch just "another" Windows Phone, it'll reflect poorly on them.

Keep in mind that, before Nokia launches their first Windows Phone, we'll see the launch of a new iPhone, a new Android phone OS (most likely), and a slate of new HP webOS devices.

No, they need to dazzle. That's quite the challenge.

--janak
 
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  #9  
Old 02-11-2011, 08:45 PM
Janak Parekh
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fritzly View Post
We have the ability to do customizations and extensions to the software environment that are unique and therefore differentiate. It�s very important to understand this is not a standard OEM agreement. Microsoft is placing a big bet on us.
Thanks for pasting this here, Fritzly - I'm curious how this will affect MS's OEM relationship with Samsung and HTC. They can't be thrilled to see Nokia come into the picture, with "preferential" treatment, right?

This is going to get very interesting.

--janak
 
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  #10  
Old 02-11-2011, 09:23 PM
T_Scheen
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng View Post
Translation: New phones from this alliance only coming out next year. :P
Couldn't agree more.
Two ducks don't make an eagle !

Game Over - Sorry.
 
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