Microsoft and LG Electronics today said they had signed a preliminary agreement on strategic collaboration in mobile technology.

"The agreement ensures continued strategic collaboration in R&D, marketing, applications, and services in the field of converged mobile devices," LG said in a statement. "Both companies will continue to define and align their mobile strategies through annual top management meeting."

Microsoft hopes its Windows Mobile operating system can continue to challenge Symbian, a platform backed by Nokia and used in two-thirds of smartphones.

Blackberry-maker Research in Motion and Apple's iPhone are also growing threats. Several manufacturers are planning or have started to roll out smartphones based on Google's Android software.

Both LG and Samsung are members of the Symbian Foundation and are also developing models based on Android.

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