LAS VEGAS (COMDEX), Nov. 12, 2001- Nokia and Sony Corporation today announced that they have started cooperation on developing an open and common middleware platform with the target of achieving interoperability between mobile handsets and consumer devices, and between their respective service platforms. Both Nokia and Sony stress the outcome of this cooperation will be open, and aim to make the results of their cooperation available to third parties in the future.
Nokia and Sony will work on a number of key technologies that will enable communication between various types of devices allowing them to utilize a variety of applications and services over the network. The collaboration will cover technical areas such as new user interfaces, content downloading, multimedia messaging, open digital rights management, and compatibility on implementing IPv6.
"Nokia and Sony share a vision of a future in which many types of devices work together exchanging data and content in a seamless and interoperable way. This is a task which requires broad and open interoperability between devices from many manufacturers. I am confident that this cooperation with Sony will significantly promote the target of merging different service environments together. Nokia's mission is to enable people to build their own mobile world", said Jorma Ollila, Chairman and CEO, Nokia.
"Sony and Nokia's collaboration reflects both parties desire to create a new mobile network environment through an open alliance under a shared vision," said Kunitake Ando, President and COO of Sony Corporation. "I believe this cooperation will create great business opportunities for the entire industry and will enable people to dynamically communicate with any mobile device, anytime, anywhere. "
This collaboration brings together two industry leaders accelerating the development and adoption of open mobile communication standards. Combining Nokia's expertise in mobile communications with Sony's experience in technical innovation and creating new categories of entertainment, the agreement promises to create added value and convenience for consumers through device interoperability and open architectures.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on six major exchanges.
About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be a leading personal broadband entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of nearly $60 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001. Sony's Home Page URL: www.world.sony.com
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