Symbian shareholders to block Nokia sale

Minority shareholders of Symbian are preparing to block a move by Finland`s Nokia to own 63% of the British mobile phone software company, Reuters reports.

Nokia said two weeks ago it planned to buy the shares owned by Psion, representing about one-third of Symbian. But other shareholders such as Ericsson are opposed to the move, and are considering using their right to also buy a portion of Psion`s Symbian shares, sources said.

Motorola has announced the MPx - the latest in its line of smartphones, reports Mobile Burn. The MPx is a tri-band GSM device with WiFi and Bluetooth support as well as a 2.8-inch, 16-bit colour display (320x240 pixels). Since it is based on Windows Mobile software, the MPx is compatible with a wide variety of advanced PDA applications and utilities. This also means that the MPx can view and edit Microsoft Office file formats.

However, reports CNET, carriers remain loath to sell WiFi cellphones. On Monday, Nokia said its Communicator 9500, due at year`s end, will be able to use Cisco Aironet hotspot access points. WiFi is fast, has a 300-foot range and can be used for downloading large amounts of information. Cell networks stretch for hundreds of kilometres but can usually only manage download speeds of about 50 kilobits per second to 500kbps.

But because carriers face challenges in switching between the two different wireless networks and properly handling the complex billing, it may take longer than the initially predicted early 2005 to get the full backing of carriers.

Mobile phone operator Orange yesterday unveiled plans to launch its third-generation mobile phone service by mid-year, but insisted it would not get drawn into a price war. The announcement came as another operator, 3, which had to cut the price of its service to win customers, confirmed it was launching its offering in the UK on a pre-pay basis, reports The Independent.

Worldwide sales of Internet phone equipment rose 31% in the last three months of 2003 and could triple by 2007. This comes as demand surges for voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) gear, according to analyst firm Infonetics Research. CNET reports that during the next year, demand for VOIP equipment will rise, as AT&T, BT, France Telecom, SBC Communications, Verizon Communications and other service providers begin selling Internet phone services.

A big wireless phone industry conclave in Europe this week will feature multiple announcements of new cellphone gadgets and services, but also provide an opportunity to take the pulse of an industry that`s aiming to serve up much more than plain old voice services to customers.

Some cases in point, reported by Washington Post: Eastman Kodak is partnering with providers to offer an online photo service, and third-generation wireless technology, which will allow users to hold video conferences, is due for roll-out in Europe this year.