Microsoft Purchases Nokia's Device and Services Division to Unite Windows Phone Hardware and SoftwareMicrosoft and Nokia today announced that Microsoft will acquire Nokia's Devices and Services unit, allowing Microsoft to unite its Windows Phone software efforts with its primary hardware partner in Nokia. The deal also includes a licensing agreement to provide Microsoft with access to Nokia's mapping services and patents.Building on the partnership with Nokia announced in February 2011 and the increasing success of Nokia’s Lumia smartphones, Microsoft aims to accelerate the growth of its share and profit in mobile devices through faster innovation, increased synergies, and unified branding and marketing. For Nokia, this transaction is expected to be significantly accretive to earnings, strengthen its financial position, and provide a solid basis for future investment in its continuing businesses. “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,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft chief executive officer. “In addition to their innovation and strength in phones at all price points, Nokia brings proven capability and talent in critical areas such as hardware design and engineering, supply chain and manufacturing management, and hardware sales, marketing and distribution.” The deal will see 32,000 Nokia employees transfer to Microsoft, with Microsoft also acquiring the Lumia and Asha brands while licensing the Nokia brand for continuity with current Nokia-branded hardware. Microsoft will also acquire Nokia's long-term license with Qualcomm for chip technology. Microsoft and Nokia have seen some success with Lumia phones running Windows Phone, but the platform remains well short of becoming a third major player in the smartphone market alongside Google's Android and Apple's iOS. By uniting the hardware and software, Microsoft seems intent upon offering a more complete and end-to-end user experience, similar in some ways to Apple's work integration of iOS and iPhone. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories • Verizon Communications Gains Full Ownership of Verizon Wireless With $130 Billion Vodafone Deal • Shazam Updated With In-Tweet Previews for Shared Songs, Faster Performance for Older Devices • Apple Offers Back to School Discount on Select iTunes Albums • Apple Launches Redesign of Bug Reporter Tool with Improved Search, Streamlined File Attachments • Peter Molyneux's 'Godus' to Be Released on Mac September 13th • Three to Launch UK 4G Service in December • Revised Plans for Flagship Apple Store in Brisbane, Australia Surface • 'Plants vs. Zombies 2' Nears 25 Million Downloads, PopCap Teases 'Crop Circle' Video
http://www.macrumors.com/2013/09/02/microsoft-purchases-nokias-device-and-services-division-to-unite-windows-phone-hardware-and-software/
