Microsoft Partners with Nokia to Put Office on Mobiles

Microsoft and Nokia announced an alliance yesterday to bring Microsoft’s Office Mobile to Nokia’s Symbian devices. The Microsoft website states that the following features will be soon available on smartphones:

• The ability to view, edit, create and share Office documents on more devices in more places with mobile-optimized versions of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft OneNote
• Enterprise instant messaging and presence, and optimized conferencing and collaboration experience with Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile
• Mobile access to intranet and extranet portals built on Microsoft SharePoint Server
• Enterprise device management with Microsoft System Center

The collaboration improves the two companies’ position in the mobile market. Microsoft is threatened by Google’s Android and online office suites, both free or low-cost. This partnership will put Microsoft’s software on more phones and boost their market share. Nokia will be better positioned against Apple and RIM, able to offer smartphones with full office capabilities.

The partnership is also a sign that the Office team is free to work with whatever partners necessary to assure its success, even if it means moving away from the Windows Mobile OS.

(via NYT)