MS to buy Nokia

gman2k

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/03/microsoft-buy-nokia-mobile-phone

But, this may mean other manufacturers may not want to make WP phones any more!

PaulieC

gman2k wrote: »

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/03/microsoft-buy-nokia-mobile-phone

But, this may mean other manufacturers may not want to make WP phones any more!

Not quite accurate. MS have agreed to buy the Devices part of Nokia. They have also licensed all their patents for 10 years and will use their mapping services. Nokia will remain in ownership of the HERE mapping business and their network business.

WRT choice, the other manufacturers weren't really brining much to the table as they were mainly concentrated on Android. If WP grows as much as MS intends for it, other manufacturers will continue to make handsets.

godtabh

no different to Google buying Motorola

PaulieC

godtabh wrote: »

no different to Google buying Motorola

Slightly different market situation though.

Google had a much larger market share when they bought a comparatively niche Android handset maker.
Microsoft has a much smaller market share and they are buying the largest volume WP handset maker.

IMO Samsung has less to fear from Google's purchase of Motorola than HTC has of MS purchase of Nokia.

wheresmybeaver

There's lots to look forward to in terms of Nokia tablets running rt and perhaps full windows 8. Great news for anyone with a lot invested in the MS ecosystem (such as myself) as it guarantees at least a few years of quality hardware to go with the software services.

senordingdong

But what will become of existing Nokia sets/software.

My choice in smart phone was based on the manufacturer more than the OS and have to say that this is casting doubt as to whether I will stick to it in future.
I had my eyes set on a 925 but not so sure now.

Dcully

senordingdong wrote: »

But what will become of existing Nokia sets/software.

My choice in smart phone was based on the manufacturer more than the OS and have to say that this is casting doubt as to whether I will stick to it in future.
I had my eyes set on a 925 but not so sure now.

Why ever not? your 925 wont change in any way?

senordingdong

I would be concerned that MS would abandon software support and improvements in a hurry to push their own new line.

KingOfFairview

senordingdong wrote: »

I would be concerned that MS would abandon software support and improvements in a hurry to push their own new line.

I doubt it. Wouldn;pt be a great way to get Nokia fans (90% of WP users) to follow the company onto their own handsets. At least I hope so, cause me 925 arrived today :pac:

PaulieC

senordingdong wrote: »

I would be concerned that MS would abandon software support and improvements in a hurry to push their own new line.

their own new line would be made by the same people who currently make them. And saying you're not sure about buying an existing handset is a bit much. The Nokia Lumia smartphone line will be manufactured until the end of the existing agreement, which runs until 2015

gman2k

If Nokia continue to get the first shot at new products on WP, there is even less incentive for other makers to stick with such a tiny platform.

Overheal

yeah thats what they said about Android and Motorola. That didn't last long.

senordingdong

Maybe it's just the realisation that after more than ten years, I might have to consider an alternative to a nokia.