In an alliance of Web and mobile giants, Yahoo and Nokia Monday
announced a new strategic partnership in which the companies will collaborate on key services such
e-mail, instant messaging and maps and navigation for PCs and mobile devices.
Under the deal, Nokia will become the exclusive provider of Yahoo’s maps and navigation services, while
Yahoo will power email and chat on Nokia devices. The companies also plan to pursue efforts to allow people using Nokia’s Ovi suite of Internet services to use their Ovi login across various
Yahoo properties.
“We’re excited to expand the reach of our best-in-class Mail and Messenger services, bringing personalized experiences to more people across the mobile Web,
particularly in emerging markets where we are seeding the next generation of Yahoo users," said Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz, in a statement. "At the same time, we believe Nokia’s strength and
continued investment in maps and navigation will greatly enhance our existing products, enabling us to focus on areas that are core to our business.”
Co-branded service offerings from
the companies are expected by the second half of 2010, with worldwide availability projected in 2011.