News - Microsoft to buy Nokia’s devices and services business

[HEXUS]

The deal is worth $7.2 billion. Stephen Elop will step down to become executive VP.

Read more.

[krazy_olie]

Considering Microsoft's performance of late...
less said the better

[watercooled]

And the incentive for companies like HTC to continue competing with Nokia (now directly with MS) is what exactly?

MS are trying to be Apple...

[shaithis]

Well, expect more competition now. Just like with the Sony acquisition recently, this means Microsoft can forge on with better handsets now.

By the time my HTC One contract comes up for renewal, there is now a chance a Windows phone may have some appeal to me.

[crossy]

Projecting ahead to 2018 Microsoft also believes that Windows Phone can account for 15 per cent of the smartphone market which will ship 1.7 billion units in that year.

If they're going to do this by launching compelling devices then they'll get a big thumbs up from me. On the other hand if they're going to "leverage" that "Microsoft acquires Nokia's Qualcomm, other key IP licenses" to screw over Android (and Apple?) for patent licensing then they deserve spectacular failure in my book.

. Microsoft also believes one brand with a unified voice can help make Windows Phone a bigger success. The greater success of Windows Phones will also strengthen Microsoft and its OEMs by offering a family of devices with integrated services reasons Microsoft.

I really can't see how they're going to do this. Unlike Google/Motorola/Android the Nokia/Microsoft/WindowsPhone trio doesn't have any kind of open source credentials, Microsoft has VERY tight control over "their" OS. That said, apart from HTC are there any Window Phones OEM's that are doing anything of note? I looked at a Samsung Windows Phone and it was underwhelming compared to the HTC or Nokia equivalents.

There's now a 50/50 split in the house between Windows Phone and Android, and I've got to say that the HTC and Nokia Windows Phone devices that are here are actually pretty decent. Okay, I wouldn't have one of them because I need a uSD slot, but apart from that they looked okay.

Maybe this is an ideal topic for a QOTW ... is the Nokia/Microsoft a good deal for the public? or would you be more likely to buy a Windows phone if it was branded "Microsoft".

[krazy_olie]

There'll be very little incentive for HTC, or anyone else, to produce Windows phones, they're on their own most likely.

Nokia have traditionally been a company to push boundaries in mobile, hard to see that happening now. Could you imagine Microsoft pushing ahead with the Pureview technology and branding, for example?

[watercooled]

Does this also include Nokia's non-smartphone business?

[cheesemp]

Does this also include Nokia's non-smartphone business?

Just smartphones and feature phones. Networking etc is still Nokia.

[DanceswithUnix]

So hasn't this gone something like:

o Elop joins Nokia from Microsoft
o Nokia sales slump
o Elop sells now cheaper company to previous employer.

I can see shareholders looking a tad grumpy over this.

[watercooled]

Just smartphones and feature phones. Networking etc is still Nokia.

Cheers. Yeah I knew it was just 'devices', but wasn't sure if basic phones were included in that category.

[watercooled]

So hasn't this gone something like:

o Elop joins Nokia from Microsoft
o Nokia sales slump
o Elop sells now cheaper company to previous employer.

I can see shareholders looking a tad grumpy over this.

Agreed. And I can see some conspiracy theories coming out of that...

[ajones]

If they're going to do this by launching compelling devices then they'll get a big thumbs up from me. On the other hand if they're going to "leverage" that "Microsoft acquires Nokia's Qualcomm, other key IP licenses" to screw over Android (and Apple?) for patent licensing then they deserve spectacular failure in my book.

From what I understand, Nokia retain the IPR, and Microsoft are granted a perpetual license for it.

buys the rights to use Nokia and associated patents

So MS won't be able to use those licenses to screw over Android or Apple. Nokia on the other hand... well, they hold the patents and no longer need to worry about counter suits against the products it's no longer producing....

[aidanjt]

So hasn't this gone something like:

o Elop joins Nokia from Microsoft
o Elop makes multiple obvious no-nos
o Nokia sales slump
o Elop sells now cheaper company to previous employer.
o Elop rejoins Microsoft

I can see shareholders looking a tad grumpy over this.

Added a few important parts. The shareholders should sue.

[cheesemp]

aidanjt - Think you missed the Elop becomes Microsoft CEO replacing Ballmer off the end

[nyoron]

Hmm...cant say Im too suprised about this news.

[DanceswithUnix]

Added a few important parts. The shareholders should sue.

Yeah I simplified it. I can't remember where on the timeline Microsoft announced that Windows Phone devices would not be upgradable to Phone 8, but didn't that hit Nokia too?

And if Nokia still exists as a company rather than being taken over, did the share holders get to vote on this?

Edit to add: Looks like they haven't voted yet.

Nokia will exist after this as a network infrastructure and mapping systems company.