Eight months and $7.17 billion later it’s finally official and the deal has been wrapped up – Today Nokia’s Devices and Services division now belongs to Microsoft. The deal was inked as a strategic move for Microsoft to gain a bigger share in the smartphone arena and also solidify its position as a devices and services company.
The final approval from regulatory agencies and the shareholders was what was left to tie together the loose ends in a transaction that has transformed Microsoft into one of the world’s largest handset manufacturers.
In a statement on Microsoft’s official blog the acquisition has been described as being aimed at bringing key capabilities in supply chain distribution, operational processes and systems as well as skills in managing hardware margins.
This was long overdue when you consider how Microsoft stumbled with efforts in hardware design and distribution (just think of the Surface tablet) and how it hadn’t repositioned itself as the original big boy on the tech block that could take on other premier tech companies dominant in the new millennium.
Just look at the hopeless game of catch-up it’s been playing with its former adversary, Apple, which has now established itself as the world’s foremost tech (and all-around) company.
Despite a shared vision Nokia is set to retain separate offices. The visibility of the unification already started taking effect earlier this week when Nokia Corporation announced its name change to Microsoft Mobile.
Former Nokia CEO and now executive vice president of the Devices Group at Microsoft, Stephen Elop, has spelled out a plan for “The next billion.” This is a focus on the next billion people from emerging markets to access internet services for the first time through Microsoft services as well as devices.
This makes sense when you consider Nokia’s legacy in developing countries through cheap feature phones. In Zimbabwe Nokia’s strong brand presence is something we are also familiar with.
Microsoft seems keen on exploring opportunities for its Windows Phone thereby establishing a larger footprint in these emerging markets. All this points to a huge appetite for growth. Such ambition seems logical when you consider recent data from research firm IDC that suggests that Windows phone stands to grow the fastest among the leading smartphone operating systems.
9 comments
Windows Phone in its current state remains a user unfriendly piece of crap. The most basic things such as messaging and looking up contacts when dialing require far too many steps.
Primary function of a phone has always been phoning & communication.
They should not obsess over being different over a simple thing like dialing and messaging.
Nokia feature phones are to the mobile phones what Windows was to the desktop. Now some bright idiot thought,wait let’s change that accessibility and also move it over to Windows 8.
Stay away from WP if you find it user unfriendly. There are plenty of us out here who are very happy with it.
I won’t stay away from it as its my occupation to work with it.The current OS is not the most pleasant as stated in my reasons above. I had to buy a dialer app to bring just the basics to the forefront. Its Kak,as the South Africans would say
I certainly love it the way it is and I know a few pips who hold it in high regard. Its a work in progress as you’r aware so give it time. Why do I get the feeling you’re expecting it to work like Samsung/IPhone? Its WP for crying out loud!! Dump it if its not up to your standard.
You’re taking this personally. On a pure usability level, they failed. It is a known flaw of the current OS.
I expect it to work like every other phone. Making a call or sending a message shouldnt be a headache.Even the simplest of phones, the feature phones, remember that they are phones. If this is getting you emotional,I suggest you pick another discussion. Otherwise this becomes a flame war
no need to get emotional though, i have had to use WP7.5 Mango for a while and that was the worst (modern) mobile OS experience i have encountered. Let us not too quickly mistake kujairira a gui for user-friendliness; the experience is awful and something that could cause high blood pressure in many. kkk. My knowing a few pips that smoke pot does not in any way make pot the best experience, it still remains the above mentioned kak
Your opinion it is……
No comment on Steve Ballmer’s accent and whether or not it is delightful?
I wonder how many ‘Nokian’s’ would jump ship if they don’t keep Nokia as a product brand under Microsoft Mobile