Smartphone wars have started

Microsoft and Nokia's latest salvo should really shake up the market

The Microsoft/Nokia tie up news today is very interesting indeed.

Just days after Nokia's chief exec was lamenting how the vendor had been left behind and was seeing its market share being chipped away by Apple and Google - it announces a partnership with Microsoft and its Windows Phone.

There is no question that Apple has stolen a march on the smartphone market with its iPhone franchise, and Google's Android phone is happily munching away at Nokia's market share as well.

But as an iPhone owner - I'm astounded by the charges and rigid rules imposed by Apple - there is very little flexibility for customers at the moment - but now the combined weight of Microsoft and Nokia might force Apple to think again. And not before time.

Nokia is still the biggest mobile phone maker in the world and while it has slipped behind a little, this partnership will definitely give it the boost it needs to reclaim its crown.

Certainly if there is a good variety of apps, a decent handset and flexible rental agreements on offer, I, for one, would consider changing allegience.

But then again if Apple does get a little more flexible in its Ts & Cs, and starts to treat its customers with a little more respect, I am quite tempted to wait for the next generation iPhone.

Whatever happens, it will definitely be a more interesting time for the smartphone market going forward and also a lot easier for customers as well.

As someone said to me this week: "It's a win, win, win situation." (groan)