It’s the end of an era. On Friday (April 25), Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia will be complete. The Finnish company was created in 1967 and it’s been one of the most popular brands in the mobile world ever since. Now, however, Microsoft is taking the wheel and Nokia will probably get a new name – Microsoft Mobile.
Come Friday, Nokia will belong to Microsoft.
The takeover was announced last September and both giants have had enough time to clarify the main points of the deal. Microsoft will acquire almost all of Nokia’s Devices and Service business, including the Mobile Phones and Smart Devices business. The Lumia brand will also go to Microsoft, as well as Nokia’s long-term patent licensing agreement with Qualcomm. Additionally, Microsoft will get the Asha brand and will license the Nokia brand for use with current Nokia mobile phone products, but Nokia will still own and manage the brand. Nokia will keep its patent portfolio and will grant Microsoft a 10-year license to its patents.
All of us (well, most of us) remember the first Nokia mobile phone: the Mobira Senator from 1982, which weighed 10 kg. The Nokia 3210 was the first Nokia phone with an integrated antenna, but no one could let go of the Nokia 3310, which continues to amaze us with its incredible battery life even today. Next came the Communicator series, then the N series, and, finally, the Lumia handsets. All Nokia smartphones use Windows Phone as the operating system, while only the Asha phones run on Series 40 OS.
Nokia’s (smart)phones.
What is your favourite Nokia smartphone and why? What do you think will change with this deal?