When I got the email saying that Microsoft and Nokia would be making an announcement about a new partnership I was excited. I was all ready to hear that Nokia would make a Windows branded smartphone running the Windows Mobile operating system. That meant a big app store and a system anyone who downloads a free copy of Microsoft's Visual Basic Express or Visual C# Express can program. Alas, it's not to be.

Now the deal they did announce today, which will bring Microsoft's Office apps to Nokia's Symbian smartphone platform, should be a money maker for both companies. And give Blackberry a few headaches. But I still dream of a true competitor to the Apple iPhone, which is one of the neatest toys around. The only reason I don't have one is that in the part of the world I inhabit, Verizon is the best wireless system by far.

Windows Mobile on Nokia? Apparently neither company is interested. I guess I still have to dream of the day AT&T loses it's exclusive on the iPhone.