Softening Up the Competition: Strategic Implications of Nokia's Decision to Open Up Symbian

1. Unifying UI and Platform Framework to Improve User Experience

• 1.1 UI Integration to Remove Previously Existing Disparateness
• 1.2 Open Source Model Creates More Room for Third-party Software Companies to Join
• 1.3 New Symbian OS Will Create Friendlier Operating Interfaces

2. Competition between Symbian and Other Platforms

• 2.1 Android to Be First Major Adversary
• 2.2 Symbian to Compete with Microsoft in the Prosumer Segment
• 2.3 Symbian Will Be Hard-pressed to Seriously Challenge Apple and RIM' s Market Position

3. Strategic Implications for the Mobile Phone Industry

• 3.1 Nokia to Enhance Influence of Symbian
• 3.2 Implications for Other Major Mobile Phone Vendors
• 3.3 Providing a New Window of Opportunity for Japanese Vendors to Develop Overseas Markets
• 3.4 Maintaining Core Competitiveness and Product Differentiation Is Key

MIC Perspective

• Figure 1. Worldwide Smartphone Operating System Market Share, 2007

• Table 1. Three Major Operating Systems/Development Platforms and Partner Companies