Taiwanese companies E-ten Information Systems and Arima Communications have signed a technology agreement to develop 3G and 3.5G smartphones around the Windows Mobile OS, combining their technical expertise to deliver at least four new Windows Mobile-based smartphones to global markets by the end of this year. The two companies plan to use their combined expertise to develop high end 3G smartphones that allow uploads and downloads using High-Speed Downlink Packet Access or Wi-Fi technology, as well as GPS for maps, and Bluetooth technology for device to device links. Taiwan companies have been helpful partners for Microsoft in the handset arena. High Tech Compute, the world"s largest maker of mobile phones using the Microsoft Windows Mobile OS, is also a Taiwanese company.