Sony Ericsson has signed an agreement to buy UIQ Technology from its parent Symbian. Sony Ericsson currently licensees UIQ for its several of its smartphone. It's also the only major mobile phone manufacturer currently using UIQ. UIQ is an interface that sits on top of the Symbian OS. Symbian will still have to be licensed.
“UIQ offers excellent technical flexibility enabling us to provide compelling features such as push email, internet browsing, end user personalization, and enhanced music applications” explains Mats Lindoff, Chief Technology Officer at Sony Ericsson. “By acquiring UIQ Technology we will further invest and exploit the full potential of UIQ on Symbian OS for phone vendors, mobile operators, developers and consumers.”
Sony Ericsson expects the deal to complete within a few months. The business will be run as a wholly owned separate business subsidiary and remain under the existing management team. UIQ will also continue to be made available to other companies for license.