Topic: Nokia gets into bed with Microsoft

[Simon]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12427680

I can't help but see this as an unhealthy alliance for Nokia.  The new Windows system still has a way to go, and presumably, this means Nokia will not develop Symbian any further.  Not good news for existing users. 

[Rik]

Nokia may have signed its own death warrant, I can see a lot of people avoiding them like the plague. Very short-term thinking, imo.

[Simon]

Desparate straw clutching springs to mind. 

[Rik]

I agree. Desperation may equate to 'last act' though.

[Simon]

Sadly, I agree. 

[sam]

they have been out of the game for a long time anyway...  gotta please the share holders somehow

[Simon]

Guess it depends what it's cost them. 

[sam]

probably save them a lot of money in software developers 

[Simon]

True.

[Simon]

Nokia's CEO said its recent alliance with Microsoft will be worth billions to the ailing mobile phone maker.

Nokia announced last week that it was teaming up with Microsoft to take on Google and Apple in the smartphone market by using Windows Phone 7 on its handsets.

"Microsoft is contributing to Nokia substantial monetary value," Stephen Elop said in a presentation ahead of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

"Some people interpret that to be in the millions or tens of millions," said Elop, who left Microsoft to take the helm of Nokia in September.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/365230/microsoft-deal-worth-billions-to-nokia

[Rik]

Microsoft will want its pound of flesh.

[Simon]

Indeed.