Nokia to Open Calif. Research Center

Leading mobile phone manufacturer and wireless technology innovating Nokia has announced plans to open a research center in Palo Alto, California, as well as a partnership with Stanford. The university will become a testing ground for new technology developed at the Nokia Research Center.

Nokia plans to focus on four core areas: context-aware content and communities for advertising and recommendation engines; wireless grids for linking up different types of devices; advanced user interfaces and visual media; and emerging short-range radio technologies. The center will initially employ 35 researchers, with plans to expand to upwards of 100.