Symbian left with OS - Sony buys UIQ

[ruby]

Sony Ericsson has reached agreement in principle for acquiring the Swedish software company UIQ Technology AB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Symbian Ltd. 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.

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.

Many manufacturers are pleased with the announcement (including Nokia). Symbian OS whilst allowing Symbian to focus on the core product development of Symbian OS for the mass market.

Sony Ericsson expects the transaction to be completed over the next few months, pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.