Microsoft-Nokia pact takes aim at RIM

While the iPhone may be the apple of everyone's eye, Nokia says that its main goal in partnering with Microsoft is taking on BlackBerry maker Research In Motion.

"This is really about creating a formidable challenge for RIM rather than anyone else," Nokia executive vice president Kai Oistamo said in a conference call Wednesday.

Andersson

(Credit: Nokia)

As first reported Tuesday by CNET News, Microsoft and Nokia are working together to bring mobile versions of the software maker's Office programs onto Nokia phones running the Symbian operating system. The companies said Wednesday that the collaboration also extends to Microsoft's unified communications and System Center management tools.

In an interview, Nokia executive vice president Robert Andersson said that RIM has an almost dominant position in the North American market for mobile e-mail. "That's the application where they really are strong," he said.

By bringing the full Office suite to Symbian, Andersson said, Nokia hopes to do RIM one better. "What we are bring with this collaboration is a much deeper much richer experience."

But the fruits of the partnership will take some time. For next year, the companies are committing only to bringing a version of the Communicator instant messaging program to Symbian.

"The first deliverable is next year," Microsoft corporate vice presidentTakeshi Numoto said in an interview. "We're not really talking about things beyond that."

Given that, it seems reasonable to think it could well be until 2011 before the mobile versions of Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and OneNote make their way onto the first Symbian phones, and even then the rollout will start with just the E-series of devices.

Microsoft and Nokia started discussions about six months ago, but the work has centered on finalizing the business details.

"We just basically signed the contract a few weeks ago," Andersson said. "Getting the big teams on board is only beginning now."

Numoto

(Credit: Microsoft)

Andersson said the partnership will involve hundreds of dedicated workers from the two companies.

For Microsoft, the move helps the software maker in its goal of fending off competition from Google and extending Office from the desktop into the larger world of Web, PC, and phone. "Extending that reach to 200 million Nokia smartphones was a natural for us," Numoto said.

Numoto tried to downplay the impact that the collaboration would have on Windows Mobile, which competes with Symbian-based devices. Until now, one of Windows Mobile's selling points has been that it is the only phone operating system with mobile versions of Office, though other phones have third-party tools that let users view and edit Office documents.

"We truly believe and are committed to Windows Mobile," Numoto said. "We are excited about Windows Mobile 6.5 coming this fall... As you know, in the technology industry there is always an element of collaboration and competition."

For its part, Nokia said it is committed to Symbian and has no plans to start offering Windows Mobile phones.

"There are no such plans," Oistamo said on the conference call.

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[Hep Cat]

Good news for Apple. Let those folks all go race for the bottom, and Apple will enjoy higher margins and superior products, just as with the iPod.

[monkeyfun14]

iPod not really superior imho...

Also i've always been puzzled by the fact that people are happy for Apple getting higher margins...

[empirestatebuddy]

monkeyfun14: Because many people who buy Apple products think that it makes them "cool." If Apple succeeds, then these individuals feel better about themselves. It's classic "fanboy-ism." Similar to a cult, these people fail to see that they're being hoodwinked out of money. In fact, they enjoy it. It makes them feel like they're contributing to a "cause." Eventually, though, as in most cults, the spell will wear off. Perhaps I should invest in a "Recovering Apple fanboy" support group. There might be a lot of money in that someday... lol

[YankeePoodle]

Hep Cat,

Stop being a Fan Zombie. How come bringing Office to Nokia Symbian is race to the bottom? Apple products are aesthetic and I like them, still BlackBerry is king of the productivity hill. So, it is natural for any one targeting that environment to compete against them.

[monkeyfun14]

@BogusBasin

Nah mine broke after 6 months of use I tossed it and got a Zune.

[BogusBasin]

What's a Zune?

Amen

[BogusBasin]

Zune?

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/finance/external/mfool/SIG=12s9tncom/*http%3A//www.fool.com/investing/value/2009/08/12/3-reasons-why-the-new-zune-will-fail.aspx?source=eptyholnk303100&logvisit=y&npu=y

[Mark_Anderson]

Hi Hep Cat,

This functionality is for business phone users, not iPhone users. It's a different market.

Hope that helps!

[monkeyfun14]

Criticizing a product before its released doesn't make you credible BogusBasin.

And all i've seen is Microsoft is not this company nothing to back up the guys claims when you can pull up a credible site. Then maybe just maybe i'll listen.

[BogusBasin]

@monkeyfun14

That's right. Only sites that match your point of view are credible. Motley Fool is a respected investing tool used by many to make investing decisions. But since they are suggesting the Zune will be a failure, you say they aren't credible and that I am not credible. I thought you were one of those guys that always ask people to cite their sources? So I did. As long as my sources aren't pro Microsoft, you give them any credit. I really think you actually work for MS.

Amen

[JCPayne]

I hope Oracle does the same with Sun's Open Office..... Let the competition begin....

[Hep Cat]

Um, who is asking for a mobile version of Office? Sounds pretty useless to me when you can use Google Docs instead.

[empirestatebuddy]

I am. And many people in the corporate world who use MS Office everyday at work.

[stale_pancake]

I use Documents2Go on my Tour. I has Microsoft's own Office for my old WinMo 6.1 based MotoQ. I didn't like it at all. I don't think this is the best way to take on RIM. My Blackberry Tour's weak-point has nothing to do with Office software. In my opinion, Blackberry doesn't have any weak points. I think it is the best device out there, bar none. And yes, I've owned 2 different iPhones for almost a year. And I still went back to the Blackberry.

[YankeePoodle]

Just because you are comfortable with a device does not make it the best. It only points to your lack of objectivity.

[AnjaliC]

Using MS Office will defeat the purpose of having a mobile device.

[empirestatebuddy]

That's ridiculous.

[YankeePoodle]

Troll Alert!!!

[empirestatebuddy]

If this were out already, I would've been more likely to consider a Nokia phone (though probably still would've went with Blackberry). I'm sure Microsoft sees this as a market share thing. Blackberry and iPhone are big in the US, but, internationally, Nokia is far and away the market leader. It's smart to tap into that market. Whether it will work or not remains to be seen.

[krosafcheg]

In a couple of years you'll read a story about Nokia... crying because they got burned by Microsoft in their partnership. Some people never learn.

[monkeyfun14]

And who exactly has Microsoft burned in a partnership? Hmm?

[BogusBasin]

@Monkeyfun

You are so funny! You are kidding right? Such a joker!

Amen

[Get_a_life_Leo]

How about every single licensee of PlaysForSure?

This is a defensive move on both Nokia's and Microsoft's part. But I doubt anyone with a Blackberry gives a hoot and it won't threaten RIM as there are third party apps that let you edit Word and Excel docs on Blackberries. I thought this news was going to be the announcement of a joint venture between Nokia and Microsoft called NoWin.

[monkeyfun14]

@BogusBasin

Then find me a company.

[BogusBasin]

@monkey

Have you ever watched Pirates of Silicon Valley?

Amen

[monkeyfun14]

@BogusBasin

Have you ever found me a company? No. Exactly

[dougmcnerd]

@Monkeyfun

IBM, Sun, all the companies that backed HD-DVD, the company that originally created DOS, etc., etc.

[monkeyfun14]

@doug

How did they burn anyone with HD-DVD? They gave up on it because it wasn't going anywhere and blu-ray obviously had massive support.

They bought DOS fairly so how exactly did they get burned?

Not sure how they burned sun I don't even think the 2 companies ever had a partnership.

Not sure about IBM and OS/2 but that was almost 20 years ago.

[BogusBasin]

Some people have an excuse for everything.

[monkeyfun14]

@BogusBasin

I know right cause it's not like you don't defend Apple for anything.

[zeroplane]

Interesting development, as long as it isn't on the window mobile platform I am game..

-- Disclaimer :: This is of course my opinion but based on my experience so far --
The windows mobile platform is buggy, unstable, and unreliable.. for me that is.
It could of been the phone hardware not the operating system, however I experienced the same problems on three different phones over a four year period.

1) Phone was susceptible to viruses and malware! No no!
1) Phone would stop responding (after doing a hard restart in the morning) after four hours.
2) Phone would not detect cell towers and always have a low signal.
3) Applications were slow, buggy or just plain unusable. (I have seen at least some better usability requirements on the Microsoft mobile site within the last year or two).

Both the blackberry and Iphone have the best user experience down packed.. and I have also used some Nokia phones that run Symbian or the Java OS. All were more stable and had better applications then what is provided on windows mobile phone.

That could be the fault of the telcos not the operating system.

[monkeyfun14]

And I would agree but WinMo 6.5 and 7 will improve these things.

[BogusBasin]

The fix is always just around the corner. Wait for it..... wait for it.....

Amen

[monkeyfun14]

@BogusBasin

Funny hearing that considering it took Apple 3 OS upgrades to get the basic functionality that $30 phones were offering in early 2000's

[technewsjunkie]

MS leveraging monopoly in Office (desktop productivity) into emerging markets - just as the DOJ warned it could/would. MS is late to the game again and as usual it is buying it's way back in the game
rather than innovating,

[monkeyfun14]

How is it leveraging a monopoly? And considering Office has more features then any other word processor how are they not innovating. Get out of the bubble its alot different out here.

[jeffshattuck]

What's wrong with this picture? Easy. Microsoft and Nokia are saying that the reason for their partnership is to stick it to RIM. Um, what about creating something better for people?

Jeff Shattuck

[cyaPalmOS]

I've been running Quickoffice on my Nokia N95 for a while now . Works very nicely with a BT keyboard and video out to a TV.

http://www.quickoffice.com/

[Gold_Storm_Mac]

There is also quickoffice for the iPhone btw

[elllroy]

it is really funny to watch the last microsoft enthusiasts here on cnet in such deep denial. the dark ages of computing will soon be over. get used to it. and may steve ballmer stay at the helm for as long as it takes ...

[monkeyfun14]

Microsoft isn't going anywhere soon mate keep dreaming.

[audas]

I have had these applications on my nokia n96 for three years - whats the point of this article - and when I say application I mean FULLY EDITABLE WORKING applications.

strange.

[EvanSei]

this is smart, 1- their are way to many iPhone intimidators out their meaning it would be very hard to stand out in the crowd, 2- microsoft has had too much bad publicity, and apple allot of good publicity meaning that even if microsoft and nokia came out with a great phone the reputation would stall it and maybe even kill it, 3-the iPhones user interface is developed and still getting better plus having the app store doesn't hurt, for microsoft to try and match this would cost way to much and chances are it wouldn't be as good. 4- RIM was once a great phone maker but right now its user interface is aged and is in desperate need of replacement, meaning it's easy to take down 5- RIM is popular because it is riding on it's former glory, its once top notch os is now aged and has people starting to wonder if RIM is still the glorious work machine it once was, If microsoft can create a good os for business people while making it fun for the everyday user and have it look good they can compete with rim, if they can pull an amazing os out of their butt they will take down RIM unless RIM can get on the ball which I personally don't think they can do, mainlt because they just updated the blackberry and it still looks dreadful. So good job to MS and nokia for choosing a winnable battle and If they can win this maybe one day they will have the fire power to take on the iPhone and the pre'.

[AppleSuxLeo]

As Symbian is by far the biggest phone OS , this is a huge win for the Softie !

[bugma302]

This has more to do with Microsoft owning the Unified Communications space than being able to open a Word document.

Nokia are by far the most prevelant mobile phone carried by Europeans. By making this device the centre of an organisations communications system Microsoft are not only increasing the reach of OCS over competitors such as Cisco but nullifying the need for a Blackberry if your existing (cheaper) phones can do email, voice, IM, document viewing and presence. With the collapse of Nortel this marks a clever change of direction for MS.

[Maarek Stele]

I haven't used Symbian, but Windows Mobile is the only Real Operating system where you can change anything you want. Android is the next one where you have access to the command line for changes.

I find that Apple is turning into a fad, like expensive clothing. It's suppose to draw in an OOO and Ahhh factor, but in reality, the item will collect dust.

[Fil0403]

Amen.

[Fil0403]

What's so surprising in 2 companies partnering to go after the leader? Who should they go after, a company who barely has 15% of the market and lags well behind the leader with almost 60% and one of the own partnering companies with almost 30%? Give me a break.

[Fil0403]

Or go after the other one with barely 5%?