The deal calls for Yahoo features such as contact lists and email to be directly integrated into the phone's user interface, which will allow for easier integration of the phone and the personal computer. It signals the growing importance of Internet content on mobile devices, with access to the Web going beyond high-end smartphones to cheaper, more readily available models.
On Wednesday, the Finnish handset maker said that the Yahoo services will be placed in its Series 40 line, which is what most of Nokia's basic handsets are based on. Among the most popular ones are the Nokia 6101 for Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA and the 6102 for Cingular Wireless, jointly owned by AT&T and BellSouth.
Nokia said more than 400 million mobile phones operate under the Series 40 platform since its introduction in 2002. The technology, however, can't be retrofitted into older models.
he partnership does not apply to phones that run on rival technology that is used by Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel. Nokia has traditionally lagged in that particular technology, resulting in its No. 2 position in the US market behind Motorola. Nokia is the market leader on a global basis.
Handset makers and wireless carriers have more aggressively pushed for more Internet content on mobile devices. Verizon Wireless said Tuesday it would let its VCast customers view selected videos from YouTube, which is owned by Google. In January, Motorola formed a partnership with Google to allow its devices to more easily connect with the search engine.
Nokia wouldn't disclose any financial terms from the Yahoo agreement.
Shares of Nokia recently rose 18 cents, or 0.9%, to $20.27. Yahoo's stock slipped 5 cents, or 0.2%, to $26.95.
-By Roger Cheng, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2020; roger.cheng@dowjones.com
No comments:
Post a Comment