Microsoft Communicator Mobile for Nokia debuts

Microsoft and Nokia launched the first application from their mobile productivity alliance, Microsoft Communicator Mobile. This new communications client connects directly with a company’s communications systems to simplify mobile collaboration. A number of Symbian-based Nokia Eseries smartphone users can download the English version today from Nokia’s Ovi Store.

Microsoft Communicator Mobile enables people to see their colleagues’ availability and click to communicate with them using whatever method they choose i.e. IM, email, text or phone call. The names and status of colleagues are embedded directly into the devices’ contacts application allowing people to update their own presence, start and join instant messaging sessions and begin calls directly from the contact card.

Managing director Nokia Australia and New Zealand, Emile Baak, said: “This application provides a much more efficient way of working with others as you can see if someone is busy or available and choose the best way to start a conversation with them. It also meets the requirements of business and is cost effective to implement, secure, familiar and reliable.”

The launch is the first tangible product from the alliance which was announced last August. Since then, the two companies have been collaborating on the design and development of new solutions, as well as embarking on joint marketing efforts around other ventures they already share.

Information worker business director for Microsoft Australia, Oscar Trimboli, said: “Microsoft Communicator Mobile is the first concrete piece of software to come out of our alliance with Nokia. It simplifies the way mobile users collaborate by helping people connect more easily with their colleagues. According to IDC, there will be more than one billion mobile workers next year and more than 600 million smartphones at work. To meet this demand, Nokia and Microsoft have ambitious goals for our alliance and hundreds of engineers across both companies working on developing related products and services.”

This new application, available initially for Nokia E72 and Nokia E52, adds to the work Nokia is already doing in optimising direct access to email and other personal information with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. The companies plan to deliver Communicator Mobile for Nokia pre-installed on select Nokia smartphones in the future and to support additional devices, including the recently announced Nokia E5.
- ends -

Additional press materials and photos can be found at www.microsoft.com/presspass and www.nokia.com/press/