The first fruits of Microsoft and Nokia's collaboration has been unveiled, in the form of mobile office productivity software, aimed at stealing some of RIM's BlackBerry dominance in this space.
Nokia and Microsoft, at one time fierce rivals in the mobile telecommunications business, announced the alliance in August 2009. They expect to offer Nokia phones running Microsoft's Office programs later this year.
Today, the companies unveiled Communicator Mobile software, which enables people to see their colleagues' availability, and click to communicate with them using instant messenger, email, text or phone call.
"Our alliance with Nokia aims to bring the Microsoft Office productivity experience to the millions of people using Nokia smartphones around the world," said Kirt Debique, general manager of Microsoft's Office Communications platform and solutions group, in a statement.
"With the arrival of Communicator Mobile for Nokia today, we have a great start to fulfilling our joint vision."
The names and status of colleagues are embedded directly in the devices' contacts application. Owners of Nokia E52 and E72 models can download it as of today from Nokia's Ovi Store.
"This application really provides a much more efficient way to work with others, as you can see if someone is busy or available and the best way to start a conversation with them," said Ukko Lappalainen, vice president at Nokia, in a statement.
"It also meets all of the requirements for the enterprise: cost-effective to implement, secure, familiar and reliable."
(Additional reporting by Maggie Holland, IT PRO)
