Nokia partners with Microsoft, adopts WP7

Nokia and Microsoft have reached an agreement whereby Nokia will adopt Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 smartphone platform for future smartphones. The mutually beneficial partnership between the two PC and mobile phone industry veterans, respectively, doesn't only stop at Nokia phones sporting WP7. As per a joint statement, Microsoft and Nokia will "plan to work together to integrate key assets and create completely new service offerings, while extending established products and services."


It was bound to happen, with Nokia's fast plummeting smartphone market share and Microsoft's struggle to make waves with Windows Phone 7. Meanwhile, Nokia isn't abandoning its own platforms just yet -- Symbian and MeeGo, with a "MeeGo-related" product expected to launch later this year, according to Nokia.

With Nokia adopting Windows Phone 7, speculation surrounding its flirtation with Android will ease momentarily. And with Nokia's expertise in hardware design and language support, Microsoft will soon find Windows Phone 7 smartphones offered at a wider range of price points and established Nokia markets.

Under the agreement between Nokia and Microsoft, Bing will power Nokia's search services. Microsoft's adCenter will provide search-based advertising on Nokia's devices, as well. On the other hand, Nokia Maps will soon become a core part of Microsoft's mapping services. Bing, adCenter and Nokia Maps will form an alliance to provide local search and advertising experience.

Finally, Nokia's content and application store (Ovi Store) will be integrated with Microsoft Marketplace. We definitely haven't heard the last word on this exciting development. Will this move arrest Android's proliferation pace? More as we know it, stay tuned.