Nokia joins Apple as an active Microsoft ActiveSync backer
Nokia is offering to users of 43 different S60-model cell phones the ability to sync up with Microsoft Exchange on the back end using Microsoft's ActiveSync protocol.
Nokia announced on September 10 that it now offered "the largest range from any device manufacturer (enabling) Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync." From Nokia's announcement, which the company made at the CTIA show:
"While the Exchange ActiveSync protocol is compatible with many types of devices, Nokia device users will have access to features that are currently not available in other Exchange ActiveSync licensees' devices.Setting email priorities, alerts for meeting request conflicts, a standalone global address list application to search for a colleague's contact details quickly, downloading and editing all types of attachments, not just image files, are must-have factors that users will expect from their mobile email application."
Before today's announcement, Nokia already was an ActiveSync licensee, as noted on Microsoft's Web site. It supported Exchange synchronization via ActiveSync on E50, E61 and E62 family devices.
Nokia is one of a growing family of ActiveSync licensees, including Motorola, Palm and Sony Ericcson. The most recent new backer of ActiveSync is Apple, which licensed the Microsoft protocol to enable iPhone business users to better sync with Exchange. Apple officially announced its ActiveSync licensing deal with Microsoft in March 2008.
Nokia and Microsoft have been working together on a number of mobile-focused projects. Microsoft announced in March that with the help of Nokia it had begun porting Silverlight to the S60s running the Symbian operating system. In August 2007, Nokia cemented a deal with Microsoft to preload the Windows Live suite on its S60 phones.
As its latest deal with Nokia makes clear, Microsoft is fighting the mobile war on a multitude of fronts simultaneously. While the Windows Mobile unit is seeking to grow its market share (which is dwarfed by Nokia/Symbian devices worldwide), the Exchange and Windows Live teams are trying to win over Microsoft competitors like Nokia as partners.