Nokia Office : The Office just got bigger

Microsoft, proprietor of its own Windows Mobile smartphone operating system, is partnering up with Nokia to offer mobile Office applications on the Finnish company's Symbian-loaded handsets. The move could come as a blow to third-party app providers who sell solutions to achieve document sharing between platforms, but how will it affect Microsoft's commitment to its own OS?

Nokia  and Microsoft  on Wednesday announced they are teaming up to create and offer mobile enterprise applications in a bid to tap the fast-growing mobile apps market.

Apps could constitute the next gold rush for the mobile industry, and carriers and smartphone vendors are both battling for a share of what could be a very lucrative market.
However, the Microsoft-Nokia deal could be stymied by a court ruling on Tuesday that bars Redmond from selling its Word application in the United States.

Slipping on the Mobile Dance Floor?


Unless and until an appeals court hands down a new ruling, however, the ban could stymie the agreement between Microsoft and Nokia.
This deal will see the two jointly design, develop and market apps that bring Microsoft Office Mobile and Microsoft business communications, collaboration and device management software to Nokia smartphones running its Symbian operating system.
Nokia's business-optimized E-series smartphones will get these apps first.
Next year, Nokia will begin shipping Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile on its smartphones.
Other apps to follow will include those that let users view, edit, create and share Office documents, as well as Microsoft Communicator Mobile apps for enterprise instant messaging, enterprise presence, conferencing and collaboration.
Users will also get mobile access to Microsoft SharePoint Server and enterprise device management capabilities through Microsoft System Center.
Microsoft and Nokia will also market the apps to businesses, carriers and individuals.

What About Windows Mobile?


The Microsoft-Nokia deal will not change Redmond's commitment to its own Windows Mobile platform, according to Microsoft.
"Mobility is one of Microsoft's top investment areas, and we are 100 percent committed to Windows phones now and in the future," Scott Rockfield, director of Windows Mobile communications business
"Microsoft is fighting a rearguard action until its Windows app store and [the next version of] Windows Mobile come out," Carl Howe, director of anywhere consumer research at the Yankee Group
Buyers may want to hold off buying either Nokia or Windows Mobile smartphones for a while, he advised. "Don't even bother with the Nokia and Windows Mobile platforms until the next releases, because those are the ones they're betting on," Howe said.