Strange bedfellows a recession makes. Former court foes Qualcomm and Nokia announced a partnership Feb. 17 to jointly develop smart phones for the North American market. The two wireless industry titans intend to roll out new phones in mid-2010 that are powered by Qualcomm’s advanced Mobile Station Modem chipsets. They will use Nokia’s Symbian OS software.
The companies hope to build a device favored by wireless providers, such as AT & T; and Verizon, to stave off moves by Microsoft and Google to grab more market share, according to analysts. On Feb. 16, Microsoft announced that LG Electronics had agreed to use Microsoft’s mobile operating system on 50 of its smart phone models.
Executives from Nokia and Qualcomm touted the benefit of combining their software and hardware positions.
Finland-based Nokia and San Diego’s Qualcomm were deeply embroiled in a patent dispute that ended in the summer, with Nokia agreeing to pay past and future royalties.
, Ned Randolph
