Nokia phones to get Microsoft Word

Microsoft and Nokia, in a challenge to Blackberry, announced on Wednesday that MS Office will be available on smartphones made by the Finnish company.

The software and cellphone giants said that from next year, Nokia would include Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile on its smartphones, followed by other Office applications.

“This agreement represents an important milestone for both companies and the industry,” Stephen Elop, president of Microsoft business division, said in a conference call with reporters.

“It’s the first time Microsoft will develop rich Office Mobile applications for another smartphone platform,” he noted, adding that the two companies have identified several areas for future joint collaboration. “With more than 200 million smartphone customers globally, Nokia is the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer and a natural partner for us,” Elop added.

“Today’s announcement will enable us to expand Microsoft Office Mobile to Nokia smartphone owners worldwide and allow them to collaborate on Office documents from anywhere,” he said.

Microsoft and Nokia said the agreement will allow Nokia smartphone users to view, edit, create and share Office documents and use such popular Microsoft programs as Word, PowerPoint and Excel.