Nokia internet services gets another rocket strapped to its back

ESPOO, Finland – It’s no secret that Nokia is swiftly evolving its internet and location based services, built on the original vision set out by CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo back in May of last year. So today sees Nokia stoke that engine for an extra performance boost with news that it’s acquiring Bit-side GmbH, a cutting-edge mobile software and services outfit that promises to help propel Nokia’s context-aware services, including Nokia Maps, to the next level. And fast.

INTERNATIONAL – I’ve been using Nokia Chat for almost a couple of weeks, since the day it popped up on Beta Labs, and ever since I’ve been intrigued. Not only by the service itself, which offers instant messaging mixed with a large portion of GPS pinpointing. I’ve also been curious as to where the idea emerged from and how comfortable we feel as users with services such as this, which at a glance could be perceived to have a ‘big brother’ element to them.

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Invisible handsets. Invisible services. Indispensable tools.

INTERNATIONAL – With location-based services (LBS) stealing so many online column inches recently, one aspect that I think has dodged discussion is the hardware – most of the limelight has been shone on the warranted significance of Nokia’s recent acquisitions of NAVTEQ, Trolltech and Plazes, alongside the tangible releases of pioneering new LBS apps such as Nokia Chat .

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Next piece of context-aware puzzle slots in place

ESPOO, Finland – Having barely had time to draw breath from the completion of the NAVTEQ and Trolltech deals, Nokia has brought another significant Internet services company under its wing. This week Nokia completed the acquisition of a small cutting-edge online outfit called Plazes, a bite-size company that offers a funky mash-up of a mobile social networking blended with context-aware location-based info and interaction.

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Right time, right Plaze

BERLIN, Germany – It’s not about who you are, it’s where you are. At least when it comes to context-aware applications. Plazes is a Berlin-based start up that specialises in context-aware social activity, and the latest to join the Nokia fold – the two companies today announced an agreement for “Nokia to acquire substantially all assets of Plazes”.