Motorola, Microsoft to Team on Cell Phones

The fledgling competition to develop “smarter” cell phones for Web-hungry consumers is getting a powerful new tag-team entry: Motorola Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

The nation’s largest cell phone and software manufacturers plan to announce an alliance today under which Microsoft software would power a series of new Motorola smart phones and wireless devices.

The products, starting with the Motorola MPx200 phone, which is to make its American debut in the fourth quarter and be carried by AT&T; Wireless Services Inc., will be the newest entries in a category being eyed by several big software and phone makers.

Smart phones, combining the features of cell phones and hand-held computers, have been introduced in only a few countries and remain uncommon in the U.S.