Macromedia and Nokia announced an agreement to integrate Macromedia Flash technology into Nokia’s Series 60 Platform for mobile devices, including smart phones. The companies said that the Series 60 will become a reference platform for Macromedia’s mobile Flash technology, and Macromedia will implement new versions of its mobile Flash technology on Series 60. In addition, Nokia has agreed to support Flash in its other software platforms. The partnership hopes to foster development work to create Flash content and applications for mobile phones. There are about 1.8 million registered develop-ers in Forum Nokia and more than one million Macromedia Flash developers.“We look forward to bringing together the significant developer communities of both companies to deliver a new generation of digital experiences to an even broader section of the mobile ecosystem,” Al Ramadan, executive vice president and general manager, mobile and devices, Macromedia, said in a statement.The agreement is part of a clear trend in which rich media is migrating to hand-held wireless platforms, said Jerry Purdy, chief analyst with MobileTrax, a mobile and wireless market research company. For example, earlier this month, Verizon Wireless launched its V CAST streaming media service over several phones, including the Samsung a890. “We expect additional announcements with other hand set manufacturers, carriers and rich media content providers in the next two years,” Purdy said. “We are finally getting data networks rich enough (to support such services).”As part of the collaboration, Macromedia and Nokia will also provide integrated mobile development tool sets that will enable developers to more rapidly and efficiently create compelling Flash content for mobile devices, while leveraging their existing expertise and brand assets. In addition, the companies will also collaborate on technical documentation and other technical support areas. The Series 60 Platform, built on the Symbian OS, is licensed by mobile phones manufacturers including Lenovo, LG Electronics, Nokia, Panasonic, Samsung, Sendo, and Siemens. “The availability of rich Flash content and applications will help drive the adoption of smartphones and increase the operator ARPU (average revenue per unit),” Antti Vasara, vice president, Nokia Mobile Software Sales and Marketing, said in a statement. “We also welcome all Flash developers and designers to build new compel-ling applications on Series 60 and to create cutting-edge mobile content.” Technology Industry