Only the paraquat survives
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Nokia chooses Qualcomm to power its first Windows Phone devices
JUST HOURS after chip designer ST-Ericsson said it would supply chips to 12 of Nokia's upcoming Windows Phone devices, the Finnish phone maker declared that it had picked Qualcomm.
Nokia's decision to load Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system on its next generation smartphones meant that it had to start looking around for new chip vendors. Earlier today, ST-Ericsson said that its U8500 chip will power 12 Nokia Windows Phone devices, but hours later Nokia said that it had picked Qualcomm to supply chips in the first of its Windows Phone devices.
Qualcomm is a natural choice as all current Windows Phone 7 devices use the firm's Snapdragon chip. Microsoft's strict design guidelines prescribe the use of Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, although the firm said that it will loosen its grip on specifications allowing other chip vendors a sniff of what might, after all, become a rather small pie.
A Nokia spokesman told Reuters, "The first Nokia based on Windows Phone will have the Qualcomm chipset," adding, "Our aim is to build a vibrant ecosystem around Nokia and the Windows Phone OS and with that intent we are naturally continuing discussions with a number of chipset suppliers for our future product portfolio."
The spokesman told Reuters that ST-Ericsson was one of the companies Nokia was talking to, however unlike Carlo Bozotti, CEO of ST-Ericsson, he didn't go so far as to say it was a done deal. Bozotti claimed that 12 Nokia phones will feature ST-Ericsson U8500 chips, however it now seems that Qualcomm will get first crack, and if Bozotti has spoken out before the ink has dried on any contract, then there could be some ramifications.
Whether Nokia chooses Qualcomm, ST-Ericsson or any other fabless wonder, the biggest challenge it faces is not finding a chip designer but making the so far uninspiring Windows Phone operating system worth buying. µ
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Not only are they going Microsoft but also Qualcomm. They used to be a tech company. What is this shit?
Nokia is Microsoft's new glove puppet.
I don’t know where all the negativity is coming from. WP7 already completely dominates the Microsoft-compatible phone segment—you don’t see Google or Apple getting even a look-in there, do you? And the future can only get brighter, as it becomes more and more Microsoft-compatible within this segment.
The key is to compare like with like, apples with apples, not apples and oranges, or Microsoft and non-Microsoft.
Only a few days ago I was observing this guy 'using' this behemoth-esque slab of a phone on the bus. Strange looking guy, geek written all over him from the clothing, hair style, shoes, backpack, right down to that faint stale-sweat smell most IT workers have. And the genetic predisposition to digital agility (digit = fingers, in this case) most of us normal humans don't seem to be so adept at. His fingers were flying over this phone, along with lots of taps, more taps, and all the geeky prods and pokes, swipes and paws these devices allow.
Confirmation wasn't needed; I knew it was a windows phone... it just reeked of Microsoft-esque gormlessness. As I observed further, it was confirmed - along with a nice shiny sticker on the back of the unit "Engineering sample - NOT FOR SALE".
Windows 7 phones will undoubtedly find their market niche. And it's pretty obvious what that niche is. There's a reason Microsoft will never 'get it'; which is the reason the rest of us will never take Microsoft seriously.
Never trust a customer until you're actually in the shops, specially Nokia who like to cuddle with plenty of semiconductor companies and then in the end go for the least risky solution. Remember the Symbian days ? Outdated hardware, nice phone design and crappy OS.
Remember Nokia will have to accept the hardware Microsoft supports...
(= Qualcomm, the dark force aka Chipzilla of the mobile industry)
Microsoft shill alert ^^^^^^^
Say what you will ... but the article was right. I don't see win7 dominating the mobile market anytime soon.
I'm sure Microsoft will try to talk it up and maybe working in some skype stuff - but the facts are that they are a day late and a dollar short.
Whether you like IOS or Android or not- they own this market- and I don't see it changing anytime soon - especially given the lackluster win7 phone performance.
Nokia sold out to the wrong horse but at least they got a bag full of money...
Your choice of words Lawrence befuddles me. “Making the so far uninspiring Windows Phone operating system worth buying” sounds quite bias. I have an iPhone and I’m not quite loaded with coin to buy all the latest phones, but otherwise I would give Metro a go.
Many a journalist have expressed the Windows Phone Metro design to be very unique, as it takes a very different approach to the user experience. It is comparably as responsive as the competition and not even a year out the door.
This is a large market with continued grow, which has room for everyone one so far. It may not be the most popular, but that is a given since it is the newest kid on the block. If MS continues to put its weight behind Windows Phone OS just like with its gaming consoles they will come to a measurable level of success. It is all about the units produced after all. Once Nokia joins in and the other manufacturers bring in the next volly of phones, their share of the market will grow. No one is saying they will be on top, but sometimes profitable is really the key.