Sony Ericsson has agreed to acquire Symbian's Sweden-based software subsidiary UIQ Technology AB.
The move by one of the world's largest mobile phone firms is a significant endorsement for the Symbian OS operaing system which is competing with the Microsoft CE operating system for success in teh mobiel handset market.
“By acquiring UIQ Technology we will further invest and exploit the full potential of UIQ on Symbian OS for phone vendors, mobile operators, developers and consumers,” said Mats Lindoff, chief technology officer at Sony Ericsson.
UIQ Technology, which uses Symbian OS™, licenses the UIQ user interface and application development platform to mobile phone vendors worldwide. Sony Ericsson is already a licensee of UIQ Technology and has been working closely with the company on UIQ version 3.0, which is included in Sony Ericsson’s P990 smartphone, M600 messaging phone and W950 Walkman phone.
“UIQ offers excellent technical flexibility enabling us to provide compelling features such as push email, internet browsing, end user personalization, and enhanced music applications," said Lindoff.
Following completion of the acquisition, UIQ Technology will operate as a separate business subsidiary of Sony Ericsson under its current management team. UIQ on Symbian OS will continue to be openly available, licensed on equal terms to all its licensees.
“This announcement is a positive development as it will strengthen the capabilities and services available for phones based on UIQ and Symbian OS whilst allowing us to focus on the core product development of Symbian OS for the mass market,” said Nigel Clifford, CEO, Symbian.
Sony Ericsson expects the transaction to be completed over the next few months, pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.