CORP TALK: The New York Times has released news that Microsoft and Nokia, long-time foes in the mobile phone field, have formed a partnership where Microsoft Office software will appear in Nokia cellphones soon.

According to the article, as Microsoft’s Office series toughens up against challenges from free Web-based tools from the likes of Google, putting the ubiquitous Office in the hands of the world’s largest mobile phone maker might seem a good way to slow that threat a tad.

On the flipside, Nokia is struggling against smartphone rivals like the iPhone and BlackBerry, not to mention Google’s Android platform joining the fray.

The alliance is expected to be announced in a conference call within a few hours. Neither company is available for comment until then.