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MICROSOFT IS TO purchase the handset division of phone giant Nokia, as the company again attempts to crack the smartphone market.
The $7.2 billion (€5.4 billion) deal is a big step in Microsoft’s attempts to recreate itself into a more versatile internet company, as opposed to a software manufacturer.
Microsoft has dominated the PC market for nearly 30 years, but with demand for desktop computing shrinking, the company is being forced to evolve.
The two companies have been in partnership since 2011, when it was agreed to carry Microsoft’s Windows software on Nokia’s Lumia handsets.
The Lumia has, however, remained a distant third to Apple’s iPhone and Android devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy handset.
“It’s a bold step into the future — a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies,” Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in a statement.
Ballmer announced just 10 days ago that he would be stepping down. The move has sparked speculation that Nokia CEO Stephon Elop, who is a former Microsoft executive, would succeed Ballmer.
The move will see Microsoft take on some 32,000 Nokia employees, as well as Nokia patents.
The news has seen Nokia’s share price jump over 40 per cent in early trading.
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When will we be able to play snake on a six inch amoled display… That’s what all Nokia fans want to know…!
It would want to be a pretty awesome smart device to compete against apple and Samsung. Microsoft had their days of glory as did Nokia. A long way from Snake !!!
I have a Nokia N8 that I use as a back up if my Samsung S4 acts up, the build quality of the Nokia is far superior than any other phones on the market pity about the software they use.
I guess we can kiss goodbye to a possible Nokia android phone then. I always thought that might be their saviour. We’ll have too see can they pull it out of the fire with win 8 on
Good for competition I think. I like the Nokia lumina phones.
Some laugh if you’re a shareholder this morning
Cant c them knocking Samsung off there perch
I’ve used the Nokia Symbian OS. Believe me, everybody wins here
Isn’t that a sex toy? :P
Everybody over 20 has used symbian , and it revolutionised the feature phone industry. No one could touch it back in the day!!
nothing beats the good ol batteries on the old Nokia phones can get at least 3 days battery from a single charge pity smartphones can’t do the same
It’s Stephen Elop not Elon.
Microsoft would need to completely rebrand Nokia for it to make a serious challenge on the Samsung or iPhone market share
Nokia came last in the race, this is a fitting end, good luck Microsoft.
I wouldn’t say that Nokia come third behind Apple and Samsung. LG and Huawei have much stronger prospects.
Return to the mothership Elop. Your job is done.
Joe brolly saying “it’s not a catch and kick game anymore”
have your say