Tuesday, June 1, 1999 Published at 16:57 GMT 17:57 UK
Business: The Company File
Microsoft targets Psion
Psion is a market leader in portable palmtop computers
Software giant Microsoft is trying to woo mobile telephone makers away from Psion as the battle for Internet access on the move heats up.
According to a report in The Times newspaper, Microsoft President Steve Ballmer has been lobbying senior management at Motorola of the United States, Nokia of Finland and Sweden's Ericsson, with ideas for future mobile phones.
The Times quoted Mr Ballmer as saying the phone companies would not let their small investment in Symbian stand in their way if they saw better opportunities arising from Microsoft ideas.
But Stephen Pang, UK public relations manager for Psion, said: "Obviously you can never discount the threat from Microsoft.
"However we have signed up four of the leading handset manufacturers.
"We are confident that we have a head start and that the Symbian technology is superior."
Finland's Nokia also pledged its commitment to the Symbian joint venture.
"Nokia is totally committed to Symbian as a shareholder and to Epoc technology," said Tapio Hedman, vice-president for communications for Nokia Mobile Phones.
E-mail on the move
As the use of mobile phones rockets, the telecommunications and computing industries are planning a new generation of handsets with built-in screens allowing e-mail and Internet access.
Microsoft already dominates the traditional personal computer market with its Windows software, of which CE is a pared-down version.
But Psion, a market leader in portable palmtop computers, has been developing Epoc as a rival.
A week ago Psion recruited Japan's Matsushita Communication Industrial - the world's fourth largest cellular phone maker, with Panasonic among its brand names - to Symbian.
Under the new structure, Psion will own 28.1% of Symbian, Nokia, Ericsson and Motorola 21% each and Matsushita some 8.8%.
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