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Symbian "will never produce a smartphone" - Lee Williams

Lee Williams, you need to understand, is the newly announced Executive Director for Symbian - the world's leading OS developer for smartphones. So did he really say that? And what did he mean?

Apparently, yes; he did say that; and he meant quite simply that there was no space in the market for a jumped-up new kid on the block like Symbian.

And before you rush off screaming "sell, sell!" it's probably the right moment to admit that he didn't make this inflammatory announcement at today's Symbian Smartphone Show in London. That was a much more sedate affair

But he did say it. The notebook (a Psion Series 5, if you must know) sees all, tells all. About a decade ago, the new Symbian boss (sort of) was working for Palm Computing, and found himself sharing a seminar platform with the up-and-coming brat who went on to become Symbian's R&D chief - David Wood.

Exactly how the contents of Wood's Series 5 became open to public gaze is probably a story to be kept quiet right now. But yes, he does still use the lovely pioneer hand-held which Psion stopped making when Microsoft started selling Windows CE devices. Psion licensed the Series 5 OS, EPOC, to Symbian, which then went on to develop it further, and also went on to sign up a lot of other phone makers.

It seems that when Williams and Wood originally met, Palm ruled the roost, and Palm Computing was still unwilling to get excited about the idea of smartphones. It made PDAs and PDAs, said Palm (in those days) would be what the market wanted for years.

When Williams was plucked out of his secure job in Nokia to take charge of Symbian, he was, naturally, introduced to the head of R&D. "Ah," he said, somewhat shamefacedly, "we've met." Wood checked with the diary in his faithful Series 5 and yes, there it was. Including Williams's comments about the futility of trying to challenge Palm.

Today's announcement at the Earls Court 2 exhibition centre said that Lee Williams "will remain in his current role as head of the S60 organization in Nokia’s Devices business until January 1, 2009, or until such time as the foundation and its leadership team are in place and operational."

That should be possible before year end, in fact. The takeover of Symbian Limited by Nokia is expected to close in Q4, 2008, "subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions," said today's statement. "The operation of the foundation remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals," it added.

It didn't say anything about who would buy the drinks at the end of show relaxathon, but NewsWireless is betting that it won't be Wood... and not just because he's a Scot. Williams probably has some words to eat. They'll go down nicely with a pint.