Nokia announced plans to update its Symbian smartphones with Microsoft software. Starting in the fourth quarter, customers with the latest Symbian Belle phones will get a free update of Microsoft software, called Microsoft Apps. The announcement comes ahead of Nokia's expected launch of its first smartphone running the Windows Phone platform before the end of the year. Microsoft Apps will first include Microsoft Lync 2010 Mobile, OneNote, PowerPoint Broadcast and Document Connection (which provides Microsoft SharePoint access). An update in the first half of 2012 will introduce Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint as native applications for the first time outside the Windows platform. Microsoft Apps will be delivered via an over-the-air update or PC download to the Nokia N8, C7, C6-01, E7, E6, X7, 700, 701, 600 and Oro. In addition, Nokia is working with Microsoft to provide mobile device management of Symbian Belle devices through Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012.
