Nokia, Microsoft Launch New Software to Challenge BlackBerry

Nokia and Microsoft today unveiled the first application from their partnership, aiming to break the dominance of Research in Motion's BlackBerry devices in wireless services for corporations.The world's largest handset maker and the world's largest software company said the new software, called "Office Communicator Mobile," shows people the availability of their colleagues and allows them to contact them using email, instant messaging or voice.

The application is the first component of a software suite, expected to include document sharing, live meetings and video conferencing features for smartphones, similar to those on corporate workstations. "This is about giving companies like RIM, or specifically RIM, a run for their money," said Robert Andersson, Nokia's executive vice president for devices.

Nokia and Microsoft, at one time bitter rivals in the wireless industry, announced their alliance last August, with the goal of integrating their products to reach a larger audience and regain lost market share from BlackBerry maker RIM, Apple's iPhone and smartphones running Google's Android mobile operating system.
The companies also said they expect to offer Nokia phones with Microsoft's Office programs later this year.

"We have hundreds of engineers across both companies working on the alliance and this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Kai Oistamo, Nokia's head of mobile device.

Nokia said Office Communicator Mobile will initially be available for the Nokia E52 and E72 models from its online Ovi store.

Source : mobiledia.com