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Nokia Corp. is plugging away at pushing for industry adoption of the Symbian operating system and multimedia messaging service.
The Espoo, Finland, wireless equipment manufacturer this week at its Mobile Internet Conference in Barcelona, announced that Borland Software Corp. will support Nokias Series 60 voice and data platform with its Jbuilder and Jbuilder MobileSet developer tools. Additionally, Borland will develop a C++ development environment, due in the first half of 2002, for platforms based on the Symbian operating system.
Meanwhile, Nokia last week announced that it will license the Series 60 platform to other phone makers. At the time, Nokia officials said the company is encouraging industry-wide adoption of the Symbian OS. Nokia is still Symbians main supporter, although, the OS was created by a consortium of several phone companies.
To push the idea of multi-media messaging, Nokia this week introduced a new MMS phone with a built-in camera. With this device, users can capture images and then send them over the airwaves along with a text message. The Nokia 7650 also includes a built-in photo album, a 176X208 pixel color display and a joystick for navigation. The phone supports GSM 900 and 1800 networks and will run on GPRS. Initially it is available in Europe only.
At Fall Comdex last week and again in Barcelona, Nokia Chairman and CEO said that by 2003, all new Nokia phones will be equipped with MMS capabilities.
Also on the MMS front, Symbian and Beatnik Inc., on Tuesday announced plans to create multimedia entertainment services for wireless networks using Beatniks Audio Engine over the Symbian OS.
Two Way Messaging Gets a Boost
Meanwhile, Verizon Wireless Services on Tuesday announced the introduction of Motorola Inc.s V200 Personal Communicator, which doesnt support MMS but does include a full keyboard and support for 2-way messaging. In an attempt to make text messaging as popular in the United States as it is in Europe, Verizon is launching some promotions.
Through January 31, 2002, new users who activate a monthly price plan of $35 or higher receive unlimited text messaging and Internet alerts through February 2002. After that they pay as they go for two cents per received message and 10 cents per sent message, or a bundled plan of $2.99 per month for 100 messages, $3.99 per month for 200 messages and $7.99 per month for 600 messages sent or received.