To all: Excerpt from analyst (guess which one) re the JV:
· Wireless Data Application Development Heats Up: As expected, Microsoft
and QUALCOMM announced, during a joint press conference, the formation of
Wireless Knowledge, a wireless data applications and device development
partnership. The venture is a vehicle to promote the emergence of wireless
data capabilities and garner support from operators, including Sprint PCS,
Bell Mobility and US West. At present, there are two competing standards in
development that will vie for this market. This news occurs on the backside
of Motorola's earlier announcement to join the Symbian venture, a partnership
with Nokia and Ericsson and wireless data applications supplier, Psion. We
believe that Motorola's decision to join the Symbian alliance clearly lends
momentum to the Symbian venture.
Substantial momentum already exists behind the Symbian venture, a
partnership between Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola and Psion, which already has
six to nine months worth of development work. We believe that the following
twelve months will be eventful in both ventures' pursuit of wireless data
solutions. We believe that ultimate success of operating systems for wireless
devices will be determined by current market share of devices in the field.
We estimate Ericsson, Nokia and Motorola to have a cumulative market share of
nearly 70% while QUALCOMM has less than 5%.
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