GaDGET Junky: Nokia's Soft Seattle centre!

"This is a huge moment which could shape the future of an industry" says Rory Cellan-Jones
Technology correspondent, BBC News. Also, to paraphrase myself on twitter, I am wondering if there is a merger in the offing?
As curious as some correspondents see this alliance it seems quite a logical step if not blindingly obvious before today's announcement.Oh and in case anyone reading this missed it, to quote the BBC headline again: "Nokia has announced plans to form a "broad strategic partnership" with Microsoft."
We could, of course hope that Nokia's know how in mobile telephony would rub off on Microsoft and Microsoft's know how in, erm, other areas would rub off on Nokia and they would then prove to be the perfect fillip for each other and go back to world domination. As both companies have resembled the Roman Empire in it's last days recently(in portable devices terms), something clearly had to be done.
Microsoft, some might say, are a company in need of more hardware capability to further their cause. The X-box experiment seems to be doing something right for them, slowly bringing their entertainment platform into the heart of the home. Their announcement regarding Windows * and ARM was a statement of some intent and the news today may even bring some clarity to their long term plan. Stephen Elop, Nokia's big Cheddar, is clearly sticking to what he knows. May be it was always a plan on the back burner when he was brought in?!
NokiaTAB running Windows8 on an ARM platform anyone? or are we all going to be robots? Oh and will it make good music to send to Sonneteer Hi-Fis?

Show'd out!

It seems like an age since we were on the Virgin Atlantic (filthiest plane I have ever been on) to Las Vegas at the start of January as CES took hold of our senses for another year. Last weekend we drove back from Amsterdam where we were exhibiting at the ISE show. The few working weeks prior to both shows and in between were dominated by preparations and the adrenalin come down is only just kicking in.

In the mean time the phones are jingly jangling with exhibition organiser of other trade shows trying to get us hooked up. At some stage we will all travel the world meeting each other again and again and admiring the insides of conference venues and mediocre hotels whilst shaking hands,smiling and telling each other how wonderful we all are.

Right, time to do some work!

Oh Amsterdam was nice, if cold. Vegas was Vegas and surprisingly cold!