Good article thanks to Micromanz at stockhouse
Chip
From the May 31, 1999, issue of Wireless Week
Symbian-Microsoft Link To Come?
By Brad Smith
London-based Symbian Ltd.'s mobile data joint venture was on a roll last week, adding Japan's Matsushita Communications Industrial Co. to a list of partners that already included Nokia Corp., Sun Microsystems Inc., Ericsson Inc., Motorola Inc. and Psion Ltd. Then it opened its arms to its chief competitor, Microsoft Corp., when Symbian Executive Vice President Juha Christensen told Reuters the company would "take a partnership with Microsoft quite seriously."
Symbian officials told Wireless Week a partnership might be something less than a "sign on the dotted line" contract. Instead, it could be a working relationship to assure interoperability of devices and network connectivity. "Symbian is looking to partner with everyone in the industry," said Jeremy Copp, London-based head of commercial programs. "There can be all kinds of partnerships."
Microsoft has welcomed partners as it develops a wireless strategy within the Windows CE family. After initially rejecting the idea last fall, Microsoft joined the Wireless Application Protocol Forum. It also teamed with Qualcomm Inc. on Wireless Knowledge LLC, has a partnership with British Telecommunications plc, made an investment in Nextel Communications Inc., and has a tender offer out to buy the Swedish mobile Internet technology company Sendit AB.
Even if a Symbian-Microsoft partnership might be a little like Apple Computer Inc. and Microsoft getting together on the next version of Windows NT, it wouldn't eliminate the kind of cooperation both may need in the emerging wireless data world. International Data Corp. predicted last week the broad "smart handheld device" market will see annual growth of 44.5 percent by 2000 and the currently miniscule smart phone market will expand 78 percent a year over the next four years.
Symbian was formed a year ago to develop Psion Ltd.'s EPOC operating system as a standard for new wirelessly enabled handheld devices able to access the Internet. Ericsson will be the first out of the gate this summer with a device based on the Symbian venture. The Swedish manufacturer will begin shipping in quantity its MC218 palm-sized computer, and will follow that with the R380 smart phone next year.
Despite its Motorola link, Symbian has been viewed in some quarters as a European company with global intentions. In one stroke of the Matsushita pen, Symbian was given true global presence and entry into the valuable Asian markets that are Matsushita's strength. Symbian's strength, which Microsoft is well aware of, is its powerful joint venture partners. Nokia, Motorola, Ericsson and Matsushita are the top four wireless handset manufacturers in the world. Matsushita bought a minority stake of 8.8 percent in Symbian for about $35.2 million. Psion owns 28.2 percent, and Ericsson, Nokia and Motorola own 21 percent each.
"This is a major boost to the credibility of the venture," said Eden Zoller, a consultant with the Ovum Ltd. research firm in London. Zoller is putting the finishing touches on a report on wireless Internet and how new kinds of strategic partnerships are forming between the wireless and computing industries.
Wireless Week, 600 S. Cherry St., #400, Denver, CO 80246
Voice: 303-393-7449, Fax: 303-399-2034
Published by Cahners Business Information
© Copyright 1999. All rights reserved. |
