Nokia announced it will make a public voluntary tender offer to acquire Norwegian open source software provider Trolltech for about $153 million, heralding a significant win for the snowballing mobile Linux platform...and suggesting the Symbian OS is facing rough sledding ahead. Trolltech software and application platforms are used in programs including Skype, Google Earth and Adobe Photoshop Elements--according to Nokia, the acquisition would accelerate its cross-platform software strategy for mobile devices and desktop applications, enabling development of apps optimized for the Internet, across Nokia's device portfolio and on PCs. Nokia said it plans to continue licensing Trolltech technology under both commercial and open source licenses.
"Common cross-platform layers on top of our software platforms attract innovation and enable Web 2.0 technologies in the mobile space," said Nokia's executive vice president of devices Kai Öistämö in a prepared statement. "Trolltech's deep understanding of open source software and its strong technology assets will enable both Nokia and others to innovate on our device platforms while reducing time-to-market. This acquisition will also further increase the competitiveness of S60 and Series 40."
For more on the Nokia/Trolltech deal:
-read this release
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