Nokia and Intel announced that they were merging operating systems (Maemo in Nokia's case) to create MeeGo, an open Linux based software platform for smartphones and a wide range of other devices including netbooks and "connected TVs."

This is the first big announcement after the parties announced a long-term strategic relationship:

MeeGo is an open source, Linux project which brings together the Moblin project, headed up by Intel, and Maemo, by Nokia, into a single open source activity. MeeGo integrates the experience and skills of two significant development ecosystems, versed in communications and computing technologies. The MeeGo project believes these two pillars form the technical foundations for next generation platforms and usages in the mobile and device platforms space.

Is this another indication that Nokia will ultimately abandon Symbian? It also suggests that Maemo will get better and be more competitive. Whether it will materially improve Nokia's fortunes in the smartphone market is another question. 

Here's video discussing the "merger" of platforms and the perceived opportunity:

Related: More than 3 million Ovi Maps downloaded to since Nokia made maps and navigation free in late January. And the "other" Nokia OS Symbian unveils Symbian 3.