Intel and Nokia Expand Partnership to Develop Future Mobile Standard

Psst… guess what? Did you realize that mobile computing is ultra-popular? Of course you do. In fact, it might be  impossible to not realize the fact. Ten years ago, cell phones were beginning to catch on, but they were far from being so popular that everyone owned one. That’s exactly how things are today, and between cell phones, smart phones, PDAs and other MIDs, many people own more than one product at a given time, so we’re definitely in the midst of a mobile revelation, which seems to be lasting a while.

To help continue delivering amazing mobile devices, Intel and Nokia have today announced an expanded relationship and cooperation that promises to help “shape the next era of mobile computing innovation“. To do this, the resulting partnership plans to create a completely new standard, which will of course involve Intel Architecture and select Nokia technologies. The release states that Intel is acquiring a license to Nokia’s HSPA/3G modem, although whether that’s supposed to become a part of the standard or not, I’m unsure.

The release also furthers the companies’ emphasis on open source software, and such operating systems as Moblin and Maemo, both Linux-based, are likely to become the base of these future devices. This is a good thing, and it might even enable developers to alter the OS to their own liking. After all, that’s the point of open source. As long as Windows compatibility is top-rate, I can’t see anyone being upset at having one of these at the base of their next MID or cell phone.

It might take a while before the fruits of these companies’ labor are made known, but with Intel’s developer forum taking place in just under three months, we may very well be hearing from Anand Chandrasekher, Intel’s Senior VP and GM of the Ultra Mobility Group, on all that’s being worked on between the two companies.

“This Intel and Nokia collaboration unites and focuses many of the brightest computing and communications minds in the world, and will ultimately deliver open and standards-based technologies, which history shows drive rapid innovation, adoption and consumer choice,” said Anand Chandrasekher, Intel Corporation senior vice president and general manager, Ultra Mobility Group. “With the convergence of the Internet and mobility as the team’s only barrier, I can only imagine the innovation that will come out of our unique relationship with Nokia. The possibilities are endless.”