Nokia's announced partnership
with Microsoft has already had an adverse affect on some, particularly Nokia
employees working on Symbian, because of what it means for the
future of software developers at the Finnish company. But it's also drawn critics
from another strategic partner of Nokia's -- Intel.
Nokia and
Intel had been close partners on a new mobile OS, MeeGo, which was supposed
to start replacing Symbian on
all Nokia N-series devices in 2010. However, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop delayed it
as the Microsoft deal was being worked out. Now, Nokia is shifting its focus
again, to Windows Phone 7 to power its smartphones, essentially leaving
Intel to go it alone with
MeeGo.
Yesterday, Reuters reported on some statements Intel CEO Paul
Otellini said in a meeting with analysts in London. He said Nokia was offered
"incredible" amounts of money by Microsoft. Elop previously
said, "the value transferred to Nokia is measured in Bs not Ms" --
billions of dollars, rather than million.
"I
wouldn't have made the decision he made, I would probably have gone to Android
if I were him," Otellini said. "MeeGo would have been the best
strategy but he concluded he couldn't afford it."
Still,
Otellini said Intel would forge ahead with MeeGo, and will find another partner
to replace Nokia. "The carriers still want a third ecosystem and the
carriers want an open ecosystem, and that's the thing that drives our
motivation," he said.
