Nokia Booklet 3G

The world’s largest mobile phone maker has finally entered the PC market.

Not a week after confirming its interest in the netbook market, Nokia leapt into it, uncrating the Booklet 3G–a 2.8-pound “mini-laptop” with 3G, WiFi and A-GPS support, a 10-inch HD-ready display and a claimed 12 hours of battery life. The machine will feature an Intel (INTC) Atom processor and likely run a version of Microsoft’s (MSFT) Windows. Finally, it will support Ovi, Nokia’s (NOK) version of Apple’s (AAPL) App Store.

“A growing number of people want the computing power of a PC with the full benefits of mobility,” Kai Oistamo, Nokia’s executive vice president for devices, said in a statement. “We are in the business of connecting people and the Nokia Booklet 3G is a natural evolution for us. Nokia has a long and rich heritage in mobility and with the outstanding battery life, premium design and all day, always on connectivity, we will create something quite compelling. In doing so we will make the personal computer more social, more helpful and more personal.”

Quite a pledge. And one that Nokia must deliver on if it’s to become a full-fledged mobile solution provider.

“Nokia is not trying to move into the extremely competitive market for PCs in general, even though it describes the Booklet 3G as a mini-laptop. What it is doing is moving to protect its key markets,” said Gold Associates analyst Jack E. Gold. “Indeed, netbooks are increasingly being sold as mobile device alternatives (or supplements) to smartphones. Many have 3G radios included, can make voice calls (via VoIP) and are increasingly being sold and subsidized by traditional wireless carriers. Therefore, it is logical to see Nokia make this move.”

Microsoft Office in Nokia mobile phones

Long-time rivals Microsoft and Nokia are joining forces to install Office software on Nokia mobile phones.

An insider disclosed the agreement to the New York Times, which is believed to be a result of the continuing threat of free online competition to Microsoft Office, specifically from Google Docs.



The alliance is expected to be announced today, but neither party has commented thus far.

As increasing numbers of internet users are favouring the convenience of smartphones as a replacement for traditional computers, Microsoft's dominance in areas of word processing and spreadsheet software is under threat, making this alliance a pragmatic decision by both companies as they face growing competition.

Independent technology analyst Rob Enderle observes: "This appears to be a case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Microsoft and Nokia have been rivals in mobile phone operating systems for years, as Nokia has rejected Windows Mobile in favour of Symbian software. But it seems that the popularity of Microsoft Office has convinced Nokia to open the door slightly, allowing Microsoft to gain a greater foothold in the mobile phone world.

A previous collaboration saw Nokia incorporating Microsoft PlayReady technology into Nokia phones, enabling users to manage and receive digital content more effectively, although Nokia retains ties with Microsoft rivals Google.

Nokia is still the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer, but has been struggling in the smartphone market against competition from Apple's iPhone, Research in Motion's Blackberry and Google's Android software. By incorporating the world's most popular office software, Nokia may be able to keep up.