Nokia (NOK) has finalized its $411 million acquisition of mobile device software company Symbian.
The former plans to morph Symbian ─ which is reportedly working to integrate Nokia’s S60 middleware and user interface with its OS ─ into an open source nonprofit foundation, started this spring.
As reported previously by xchange, the deal is an attempt by Nokia to give RIM, Google and Microsoft a run for their money in the mobile device arena.
"This is seen as a strategic move to stave off competition from Apple, RIM, Windows Mobile, upstart LiMo (Linux Mobile Foundation), and Google's Android and to position Nokia as more than a mobile phone company,” said James Brehm, a senior consultant for Frost & Sullivan, who commented for xchange’s initial story on the deal. “Nokia will now own relationships with all of the big five handset manufacturers and a tremendous developer ecosystem."
ABI Research Director Kevin Burden said Nokia might be planning to position the Symbian platform for mid-tier devices with another platform powering high-end devices. Sony Ericsson does this now, he pointed out.
Prior to the deal, Nokia already owned a 47.9 percent share in Symbian. It bought the remainder from Panasonic, Ericsson, Sony Ericsson, Siemens and Samsung.
