iTWire reported today that Microsoft is currently in discussion with Nokia about plans to have the handset maker add Windows Mobile-powered devices to its portfolio. According to Microsoft’s mobile communications business international marketing director John Starkweather, Redmond is in talks with the folks from Finland about getting Windows Mobile onto Nokia handsets. “They obviously have significant investments in Symbian but there are a lot of places where we have significant synergies and we would love to see the day where those synergies would extend completely with Windows Mobile,” said Starkweather, though he couldn’t say when or if any agreement will be met.

While Nokia phones don’t yet have a Windows OS, they do use a range of other Microsoft software. This includes ActiveSynch for connecting to Exchange Servers and the PlayReady DRM technology used to protect purchased music and video content. If Nokia did decide to completely adopt the full Windows Mobile operating system, their devices might be particularly appealing to universities looking to implement converged mobile devices on already Windows OS-centric campuses.