Microsoft Buys Nokia Mobile Business for $7.2 Billion

[Gahars]

You might remember Nokia for producing some of the most popular (and durable) cell phones of the early 2000s. You should also remember Microsoft, because they're Microsoft, and if you've somehow forgotten about them I'd be very worried about the state of your memory.

Anyway...

According to Nokia, Microsoft willpurchase "substantially" all of Nokia's device and service arms as well as licensing the phone maker's patents and mapping know-how. The Redmond company will pay Nokia a cool 3.79 billion euros ($4.99 billion) for the business, and 1.65 billion euros ($2.18 billion) for its patent armory.

Microsoft hopes that allying with its biggest Windows Phone manufacturer will speed up growth (and improve its smartphone market share) -- the company is already promising "increased synergies." CEO Steve Ballmer added: "It's a bold step into the future - a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies. Bringing these great teams together will accelerate Microsoft's share and profits in phones, and strengthen the overall opportunities for both Microsoft and our partners across our entire family of devices and services."

Engadget

Note: Now, it seems that there will be a tiny wait for approval. It'll take until early 2014 before Microsoft gets the all clear... or rather, okay-dokey... or rather, the okia-dokia.

So yeah, this is a pretty huge deal. Microsoft has been having a good amount of trouble getting its foot in the door of the smartphone business. A $7.2 billion dollar purchase like this is pretty clear proof that they're absolutely dead set on this market. Will it be enough to dethrone iOS and Android? Ha ha, no, you kidding me? Only time will tell.

In the words of Steve Ballin'-mer, "Nokia, no problems."

 

[FAST6191]

I heard rumblings of something like for a while now. Though I care little for phones I do have to note this.

 

[Taleweaver]

That's one huge-ass deal. But I still have my doubts on the impact. Nokia didn't exactly built the best smartphones*, and microsoft isn't known for stability products either (though that's certainly improved since before).
And more importantly: iOS and android aren't going to make it easy on them.





*we have/had them at our office...user's who used it to check for e-mails pretty much always end up with a locked account after they changed their windows password.

 

[dragonblood9999]

well nokia's going to shit like skype has

 

[notmeanymore]

Didn't Google make a similar move, buying Motorola's mobile division?

 

[Walker D]

It was a obvious move, expected since the partnership started .. ..don't know how good for Nokia this whole story is being though ..Hope it gets better, since I still like those durable devices..

 

[Joe88]

just send nokia to to the grave with whatever dignity they had left
I dont think they need more failing windows 8 phones

but I will always remember them for what they were

 

[McHaggis]

Now Microsoft's in charge, I wonder if the Nokia banana phone will make a comeback?

 

[ShonenJump]

nokia with windows mobile? never thought of that

 

[FAST6191]

But I still have my doubts on the impact. Nokia didn't exactly build the best smartphones

Maybe and maybe not but they do have a serious patent portfolio (something MS already do well at http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/07/31/microsoft_android_money_maker/ ) and a manufacturing setup.

 

[The Catboy]

That doesn't really seem like a wise move. Windows phones are very popular and Nokia isn't very popular anymore, buying this won't fix anything.

 

[bowser]

Inb4 Nokia Lumia phones as XBone controllers.

Meh, no wonder the XBone costs so much. It's not because of the Kinect after all, it's because they need to fill this little $7.2 billion hole.

 

[PityOnU]

This deal is pretty much a formality at this point. Previous Microsoft employees have been running the ship at Nokia for some time now.

Nokia has been making fantastic Windows phones for a while, and I'm sure they will continue to do so.

Windows Phone is finally starting to get some traction in the market, and will only continue to improve. A number of my friends have jumped the Android ship and switched to Windows phones with their latest renewal because they were tired of the issues that seem to continually crop up with Android devices.

Here's to competition!

 

[yusuo]

The problem with Windows Phone 8 is what it claims to be one of their strengths. Their different, in a world where the home screen is ever present Microsoft done something stupid and reinvented it, ok so sometimes this works but in this instance people are just so comfortable with what they've known for at least the last 4-5 years, Microsoft spiced that up to much and it obviously wasnt what the majority wanted

 

[KingVamp]

I haven't really pay attention to their partnership, but now I see why we haven't had any android phones from them.


I think the Nokia Lumia 1020 is a good phone, especially if it had android on it.

 

[stanleyopar2000]

Microsoft buys another has-been company

 

[Xexyz]

Microsoft to make Nokia 4410? With Earth's crust cracking durability?

 

[Snailface]

Cmon Microsoft, bring back side-talkin'. Release the X-Gage now.

 

[Satangel]

How is Windows Phone doing compared to Android/iOS? Okay or just bad and waiting to completely get shut down?
I'll always remember Nokia for their absolute classic phones, it's a shame they are gone now but it's just another sign that no company can live forever....

 

[FAST6191]

How is Windows Phone doing compared to Android/iOS?

Though I take a "meh" or "get that locked down nonsense out of my face" approach to mobile phones and related devices I do have to note it was not so long ago that Android was the weaker also ran compared to IOS if comments sections of various places are to be believed.