Symbian loses top exec to Microsoft

Juha Christensen, executive vice president at Symbian, and a former Psion Software executive, has defected to Microsoft's mobility group.

A key executive at Symbian, he was responsible for global marketing, sales, product management and supplier relationships.

His move is seen as a coup that will boost Microsoft's credibility in the mobility market where Windows CE has always played second fiddle to Palm, and in the UK, to Psion. He will report to Paul Gross, senior vice president for the mobility group.

One of Christensen's first tasks will be to develop relationships with regional partners as he takes responsibility for Microsoft's mobile offering, including business development, joint marketing, solutions development and implementation.

Prior to working at Symbian, Christensen was vice president of licensing at Psion Software, where he had global responsibility for commercial licensing strategies.

The recent move by Palm and Motorola to develop mobile phones that include Palm software and functionality, has raised doubts about the future of the Symbian platform.

A tri-band GSM wireless smart phone featuring Palm OS software and a colour display is expected from the venture in 2002.

The device, which will be distributed by Motorola, will also be compatible with high-speed general packet radio service networks, and will feature Bluetooth wireless technology.

Motorola is an investor in Symbian, a mobile operating system vendor seen as a rival to Palm, but the new deal with Palm raises questions about its commitment.

Nokia, another Symbian investor, last year announced plans to develop smart phones running Palm software. Nokia had planned to use Symbian's Epoc32 kernel with the Palm operating system running on top. The first product is due next year.