DUBLIN, Ireland-With the public snub Microsoft received with the news that U.K. mobile-phone manufacturer Sendo has dumped the software giant as the software provider for its new Z100 Web-enabled multimedia handset just days before the product was to launch, it is clear that access to Nokia’s source code was a major factor in the decision.
Sendo has chosen to replace Microsoft’s Smartphone platform with Nokia’s Series 60 technology. Sendo had already signed up customers for the Z100 but was frustrated by Microsoft’s attitude regarding its intellectual property.
Nokia has already shipped more than 1 million Series 60-enabled handsets and aims for 10 million shipments next year. However, it will be several months before the results of its collaboration with Sendo will reach the market.
Sendo’s decision is even more surprising given that Sendo was a participant in Microsoft’s Smartphone program, and Microsoft holds a 5-percent stake in Sendo. The Smartphone platform is now looking increasingly vulnerable given an apparent lack of vendor and operator confidence.
