Nokia announced that IBM Lotus Notes will finally be compatible with a couple of Nokia cellphones, more specifically the ones based on S60. Taking in consideration there are 140 million licensed Lotus Notes users, and that 80 million Nokia S60 phones were shipped, the final result can only be good for Nokia and IBM.

Customers will use the Lotus Notes Traveler software that provides easy and instant access to various traditional functions, like email, calendar, to-do list, and more. The software will become available in the next month, December 2008.

Soran Petersen of Nokia, comments:

This collaboration means nearly 90 percent of business email can be mobilized with Nokia devices, without needing to purchase additional servers, middleware or licenses. With the presence, position and technology that IBM have in the corporate email market, they are an essential partner for us in enterprise

Lotus Notes Traveler

In a move sure to get Microsoft thinking, IBM will be releasing a version of Lotus Symphony for Macs at the Lotusphere Conference next week in Orlando. Lotus Symphony is a free productivity package consisting of a word processor, spreadsheet application, and a presentation application based on the increasingly popular open document format (ODF).

Although there are no clear details, along with the Symphony, IBM is promising a version of Lotus Notes email application for the iPhone and iTouch, a software which makes use of IBM’s Domino email server program, aimed at competing directly with the RIM’s Blackberry and other business-oriented phones, at $39 for new users while keeping it free for the current customers. This would mean that IBM has got it hands on Apple’s SDK, expected to be released next month.

This is the first time the two giants are collaborating on a software platform, after Apple stopped using IBM’s chips in favor of Intel’s. “We have a lot in common,” IBM spokesman Mike Azzi said. “We’re going to cross-pollinate.” A clear indication of teaming up to contend with Microsoft, we say.

(more…)

The new ThinkPad X Series is specifically designed for on-the-go users who need an ultrathin, ultralight notebook but refuse to sacrifice quality, durability or performance. Ultraportable X Series notebooks can be equipped with the Windows Vista operating system, the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors and Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) technology. And the newest models, the ThinkPad X61s, offer new battery control features to help you work unplugged longer, as well as advances in security and the new Intel Centrino Pro processor technology. The X61s is Lenovo’s Santa Rosa update to their renowned ThinkPad X series of ultraportable laptops. The X series is synonymous with usability and toughness while on the go.

While traveling, the numerous security and quality features on the latest X Series notebooks promise to keep users productive. The Integrated Fingerprint Reader and new 32-byte hard drive password protection on ThinkPad X61 models help guard against external threats. There is even an option to disable all input and output ports on the BIOS level, as a final layer of protection for your information.

The ThinkPad X Series notebooks feature up to six built-in communications capabilities: Wi-Fi wireless, WWAN, Bluetooth technology, Ethernet, 56K3 modem and Infrared port (X60 models only). High-speed Gigabit Ethernet connectivity is also featured.

The UltraConnect II antenna is built into the display cover for optimal signal reception. This combined design supports IEEE 802.11a, b, g and “draft n” wireless technologies to help maximize wireless LAN coverage and performance.

(more…)