software

Internet telephony firm Skype has unveiled software from phone maker Nokia Oyj, which could run on more than 200 million smartphones around the world.

The new Skype for Symbian software is available for free download from Nokia's Ovi Store to consumers globally.

Skype made its first major leap into cellphones last month, striking a deal with the largest United States mobile carrier Verizon Wireless.

Nokia and Intel say they are combining the software they have each been developing for smart phones, tablet computers and other Internet connected devices.

The world's largest maker of phones and the world's largest maker of computer chips believe that together they have a better chance of competing in a crowded field of software systems that each hope to be as ubiquitous in mobile devices as Windows is on PCs.

Microsoft has unveiled software that lets Twitter, Facebook and other hot Internet services to be delivered to low-cost ‘feature phones’ common in developing countries.

Corporate vice-president of the Unlimited Potential Group and Startup Business Accelerator at Microsoft, Amit Mital, points out that, "We designed OneApp from the ground up on feature phones with very limited memory and processing capabilities."

Mobile technology company Nokia and software giant Microsoft have announced a global alliance that will see the joint development of mobile technologies and the development of Microsoft Office for Nokia mobile handsets.

Microsoft’s business division president, Stephen Elop, points out that the announcement will enable Microsoft to expand Microsoft Office Mobile to Nokia smartphone owners worldwide and allow them to collaborate on Office documents from anywhere.

Intel has unveiled a software programme that allows Facebook users devote spare computer processing power to researching diseases or climate change.

The world's largest computer chip company teamed with nonprofit group GridRepublic to create a ‘Progress Thru Processors’ application based on the popular online social networking service's operating platform.

Microsoft has invested more than US$7 billion in 2008 for research and development across the company for the development of new technologies that will enable information technology professionals to help organisations save money and improve efficiency during difficult economic times.

Microsoft SA’s managing director, Mteto Nyati, says that, “We spent more than Apple, more than IBM and way more than Google. In fact, we outspent our competitors by an incredible amount last year.”

Microsoft and Yahoo! have launched a 10-year web-search deal to challenge market leader Google, but stopped short of combining other advertising businesses or suggesting any deeper ties.

Under the deal, Microsoft's Bing search engine will power search queries on Yahoo! 's sites.

The long-expected deal means Microsoft's new Bing search engine will be combined with Yahoo!'s experience attracting advertisers in the first serious threat to Google - if the companies get regulatory approval and can make the partnership work.