Nokia Drive Ported for Use on Other Windows Phone 7 Devices?

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One of the benefits of Nokia’s partnership with Microsoft is a somewhat preferential treatment when it comes to Windows Phone 7 releases. But as Nokia plans to differentiate itself from other handset makers with proprietary apps, what becomes of this strategy if other WP7 handsets can enjoy Nokia software as well?

Nokia Drive is one of Nokia’s proprietary applications for Windows Phone 7 that works only on Nokia handsets. This is included in the latest release of Ovi Maps, and will also come pre-installed in Nokia’s upcoming Lumia 800 and 710 handsets, which run Windows Phone 7.5 Mango. The Verge, however, reports that hackers have already found a way to port Nokia Drive to other Windows Phone 7 handsets.

In particular the application has been installed on a Samsung Omnia 7, and modders from Chinese forum WPXAP.com have provided some screenshots, along with a promise of detailed instructions. The hack is said to involve sideloading of the app through ChevronWP7′s unlocking tool, which we earlier wrote about.

The post has since been taken down, although the Verge was able to find a Google cache copy. The big concern for Nokia at this point is whether it can use proprietary software like Nokia Drive as a differentiating factor when marketing their Windows Phone 7 handsets. If it’s that easy to port proprietary apps to other platforms, then it might weaken Nokia’s strategy in terms of software.

Nokia’s Lumia 800, its first foray into Windows Phone 7 handsets — is reportedly a good mix of well-designed hardware and a modern mobile operating system. Nokia’s status as Microsoft’s flagship Windows Phone 7 brand affords it some privileges, such as preferential treatment when it comes to Windows Phone 7 development. As such, Nokia is banking its future on the platform, and cannot afford to slip, in terms of development and marketing.