Read this: The inside story of how Microsoft came to buy Nokia

Very true, but in a venture this large, if the higher ups find out you are shopping one of their top employees at the same time, you could very well be jeopardizing the entire deal, if not more.
I don't believe the "trojan horse" idea, but then again stranger things have happened.

Why does Balmer always look like a crazy ass junkie (or an evil genius) on all photos when he tries to smile?
 

wow, +1 :)

Kinda reminds me of Gru. First Nokia, then the Moon...

Single digits market share. No surprise. For 2 years Nokia failed to deliver a single phone with modern design: thin, light body, aluminum premium look and feel, expandable memory, min bezel, 4.8 to 5.5 screen. Sadly that's the true. Nokia got it right with entry level device (520). Never got it right with middle and top end. Not that 920 is a bad phone. Clearly is not good enough when compare to the best seller like SG 3 and SG4. Hope MS will fix it and deliver more premium hardware.

Lumia 925

+925

Oh please, no great selling highend flagship phone on the market meets all the spec that you said so in other words you are full of crap.  Galaxy S4 don't have aluminium look, HTC One has no expandable memory, iPhone 5 is less than 4 inch big etc.  You don't speak any truth but just projecting your own desire instead of what the market really want.

And what phone do you consider better...because I've used nearly every mainstream phone available in the US and they have all been crap compared to the 920.

Design wise original ATIV S is better. I also think SG4 design is great: no bezel, all screen, light body.
Don't get me wrong. I am. WP user and care about the platform. I just hope that Nokia will make 'that' high end phone everyone will want. Same as 520. We all know that there are capable.

WP fans take note how bezel will soon become the new knock against us now that we have quad core and 1080p support.

What drugs are you on, and where can I get some? Nokia did a stunning job with their top-tier phones. But it doesn't matter how great the phones are if there is no promotion on the sales floor ([cough] 925 [cough]). Some examples: the Forbe's reporter asking Elop about AT&T's disgusting treatment of all Windows Phones, my example above with T-Mobile US. Of course the SG3 and SG4 are huge sellers: the sales floors are still heavily pushing them, and usually still with misinformation about Windows Phone.

Wpguy, really no need to be on drugs to state FACTS.
Agree that sell teams are not pushing WP devices. Also agree that with 925 Nokia is heading in right direction. However,
That doesn't explain huge margin sales in terms of quantity between S3 and 920. Lets be realistic here. In terms of design: S3 is hugely lighter and thinner, have bigger screen and yet is almost identical size to 920. Not even mention about bezel.
That's massively important and undoubtedly contributed towards 920 poor sales (in comparison to S3). Just hope MS will get it right.

It all marketing bro, fuck your bezel theory. I sell phones, everyone except for techies uses their phones for 3 or 4 basic thing...calling, texting, email..maybe pictures or GPS if they're feeling adventurous. WP hits all those check boxes perfectly but still can't manage to sell in the US. Why? Because think that the Galaxy line is the best. They have no reason to think so but they do nonetheless.

You would not believe the number of iPhone and Galaxy users that have literally "fondled" my L928 in just the last two weeks since I got it.  Most even appreciate the heft.  Even the L822 I now keep as a work spare has drawn some attention.  Plenty of those thin, light aluminum premium look and feel are pretty darn impressed.  Their problem is - in NA - they're tied into their contract (that's where I was) or, particularly with the iPhone, are too heavily invested in the iTunes world to attempt a switch.
 
Besides, how many of those premium look and feel devices get stupid cases thrown around them, to the point you have to take a second look to see what kind of device is actually hidden inside?
It's not the design that's really the issue - it's more inertia from perceived lock in with the ecosystem in which they are invested.
 

925 - 4.5 '

Nice ;)

Not nice. This story is just an account of how long it took to agree terms on what would be included in the sale of Nokia to MS and for how much.
 
It starts with an assertion that WP/Nokia Lumia sales were not growing fast enough and that the reason for this was somehow linked to the relationship between Nokia and WP team / MS.  From what I can see, sales for Nokia Lumia WP devices are growing very nicely in many parts of the world. It's just the US and China who are lagging.  MS and Nokia should have put more effort into finding out why. Didn't they see that the growth in WP sales is all with Nokia and not with Huawei/Samsung/HTC. What should this tell them? Nokia branding is the driving force in most of the world, less so in the US. I think that MS are jealous of this situation, it makes them look 'less' than Nokia in some way.
 
They just needed to work out an alternative strategy for marketing within the US to satisfy the vanity of MS.
 
From a consumer/fan point of view, the issue that has been holding back WP sales is inertia within development of the OS, and that responsibility is all down to MS. Sill basic functionality missing. Separate system/ringer volume controls anyone? Notification centre? Close programs from multi-tasking view? - this back, back, back, back, back thing is a hideously bad UX.

I agree with you.

Well said. People bought Windows Phone inspite of the OS only because they were Nokia phones. These were people (like me) who used a series of Nokia Phones over the years (3310, N86, E72, N97 etc) and therefore wanted to try out when Nokia started making WP phones.  To an average consumer, it always seemed that Nokia made phones with a lot of passion and committment. and in many parts of the World like India, South America and Europe people still love Nokia for that. What I always loved about Nokia was the care and attention they give even to the $20 phones. MS is an efficient company, like Samsung or Googl, but lack the emotional connect lot of people have with Nokia.

I agree with the problems listed with Windows Phone and that MS needs to address them. I also think Nokia is a great company (and hope MS chooses to keep the brand name on the phones for at least the next few years like they're doing with the Skype brand).
 
However, to say that Nokia deserves 100% of the credit for the rise of Windows Phone and MS is the only reason it's not growing faster is provably false and not an accurate description of the whole situtation. Nokia's market share with Symbian was in a death slide. It was only after shifting to Windows Phone that it stabilized and has now begun to grow again. This is a credit to both companies working well together. It's clearly not all Nokia's brand name, or they wouldn't have been in the situation that required licensing Windows Phone in the first place.

So they "had" to buy it. WP moved slower than expected even though we thought Nokia had the momentum. Good luck filling that shoe Microsoft AND getting better results. Makes me nervous.

You're right to feel nervous, but keep in mind that Microsoft can take much bigger risks with products than Nokia ever could.

Not to mistake I love windows 8 and the rest of the android user filled world doesn't so they can only make big for now I am saying they need to get there shit together now I hope they do cause windows 8 is solid missing a lot of apps and features and functionality but solid and I hope thy add all of it and become successful and keep improving the os cause I find it fun to use!

Hollywood's done movies based on the Somalian pirates (starring Tom hanks), they also have a WikiLeaks movie coming, I want to see a Microsoft buys Nokia movie, that's the only story I will believe ;-)

lol, good one!

Bring me a 5.5" lumia 925 like design and i will forgive you Microsoft lol, no but seriously, bring a 5.5" lumia 925 variant :)

Hopefully the fact that the new phablet is reportedly to be called the 1520 means there's room for a 5.5" 1220 or 1320. :-)

Yeah but i hope it's going to be high end, very high end, quadcore FHD etc .. :( wireless charging perhaps, hopefully built in ...

With a very good graphic chips.

Yes!

Smart move by Nokia. However, I always wanted to see an Android Nokia device in the future. I love Nokia designs over HTC and Samsung phones. Although im an WP8 customer, I feel Android would've crushed any competition with a Lumia device built for Android.

No.

YES!

Never !!

I have high regards for Nokia but I doubt they could ever hope to crush Samsung in Android because of Samsung's deep vertical integration. Samsung can always undercut them in prices, especially in low-ends. Nokia will lose the performance advantage of 520 since both will be competing in low-end crapdom that is Android. Samsung has the financial clout too to spend on advertising. And I doubt Nokia would get financial backing from Google, nor an offer to buy, not with Google still struggling to turn Motorola around to profitability. But they'd have no problem crushing HTC though, since both will be fighting from cash-strapped positions.

Yes because Nokia disappearing all together as a device manufacturer was a much better option..

they would have disappeared either way. they wouldn't be able to compete head to head with samsung. we've seen that htc more attractive hardware lose out to samsungs plastic phones. microsoft kept nokia afloat during their reatructuring. without microsoft, they would have lost a good chunk of their cash reserves. they would have enough to market their devices worldwide. the have never been much of a name in the US. they need spend considerable funds to enter the US market. Microsoft gave them financial backing and helped with marketing. google wasn't willing to hep at all because they dont need nokia. they might have sold more handsets with android but still would have gone bankrupt. plus good luck putting android on low end hardware.

Blasphemy!
 

Surface (Microsoft'stablet/glass table).....fall (autumn months/Ballmer's misshap).......8 months (Windows 8/Lumia WP8) HERE (Nokia's mapping service/where i am at this very moment) *X-Files themetune* .............it's a f#cking conspiracy!!!!

You, sir, just won the internet!

Gotta learn to read between the lines. This is spin for the fact that Balmer has Early Onset Alzheimers and is why he tripped over the table. He thought he was playing on the Slip 'n Slide with his kid brother on his 8th birthday. So now we know the real reason for his resignation. 

He fell on his head? HA!

It's really not funny to laugh at someone who fell...

Oops! I didn't know it was a hard fall. Didn't read the whole thing. My bad. I know, I'm ashamed of myself.

Really?

Esh! Sorry. I'm very tired. I'm sorry I didn't read every little word...

My reply was that you didn't catch the sarcasm.

Oh, sorry. :P It's hard to catch sarcasm in text.

My reply wasn't sarcasm....

His, he meant. And I already apologized. Can't you read?

This agreement will be good for us at the end :)

Seems like it had to be this way.Nokia was running out of money.

I think you're going to see Windows 8 embedded with HERE services in a lot of cars sometime soon. Ford was looking at W8 to replace MyFordTouch awhile back.

Microsoft sync + Here Maps

Oooooh, I didn't think about that. Interesting...

Knowing MS, they will be implementing this on all 2011 Ford Focuses. This will be announced at the release of the 2014 models.

They should. Have always wondered why they wouldn't use main systems that people are already familiar with instead of creating frustrating user interfaces like iDrive, Command, MyFordTouch, MMI etc Just makes sense to modify an existing one to fit cars. Not to mention it'll run smoother as well.

Well MS always could have put in more money. It was not because of money but because WP was not competitive enough and fast enough to make a difference.

This is the right move for Microsoft and Nokia. Hardware and Software as one. Now just do the work.

I agree. I luv this move.

Maybe biggest reason I came to wp8 was because of Nokia. Now who will be making the new wp8 phones and when it comes to brand who do I look for ? Samsungs are ok HTC meh ok I guess .nothing like my NOKIA Lumia 920.all my friends are crabbing at me (jokingly) "told you Nokia couldn't compete with Samsung. Galaxy phones are better that's why Samsung wont sell out !!" and I have nothing to say about that except I hope your wrong ( while praying in my head) .because if not I have to eat a ton of my words : |

You need to stop looking at "brands" when you buy smartphones and evaluate them on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes HTC makes a great phone and sometimes they make a junk phone. That statement can be applied to any company with any product.  And in regards to Microsoft/Nokia... the phones you get a year from now will still be made by "Nokia". It might not say Nokia, the team building and designing the hardware may not be Nokia, but it will be the same DNA you get today. But it will be better since that hardware team will work one on one with the software guys at Microsoft (because those hardware guys are now "Microsoft"). 

Honestly I don't think you understand him Sam, honestly if you think about it do you think Microsoft put as much effort as Nokia into windows phone? No. Its for that reason (the support given) that people who love Nokia, LOVE Nokia, the name Nokia means so much more to them than "Microsoft"

Yes. Microsoft is putting a freaking ton of effort into Windows Phone. Just because you don't see that effort doesn't mean it's not happening. Effort does not always equal features you want in a phone. Go read this post on the Nokia Conversations blog. Here's the quote if you don't decide to read it:

"Microsoft and Nokia have very similar values and vision when it comes to product quality. It’s what has made Nokia Lumia and Windows Phone such a great match. We value great hardware quality and a seamless user experience. I recall a recent product workshop where we split into Nokia and Microsoft teams to describe our vision for the next generation of Windows Phone. When we came to compare our lists, they were almost identical. Design at Nokia is our approach to product making and embraces engineering and manufacture. It’s the expertise in that approach that distinguishes Nokia and made it something that Microsoft wanted."

Microsoft and Nokia have been working together for a long time. This deal between the two is just going to remove any artificial barriers between the software and hardware teams.  How is Microsoft not serious about mobile or Windows Phone? They just spent 7.1 BILLION dollars to add 32,000 employees to their phone business. They also spent 7.1 billion dollars to make their own hardware. That shows effort and a committment to Windows Phone today and tommorrow. 

This, exactly!

+920
 
An excellent post Sam!
 
The only thing I am nervous about is loosing the Nokia brand on the smartphone front.  Nokia has worked really hard over the years, and with WP to gain a massive amount of brand recognition.  Nokia = solid nie-invulnerable build quality.
 
In every other aspect, I am excited for the deal, since Microsoft will be able to poor far more resources into pushing the platform, the relationship with carriers, advertising, and so on. 
 
And yes, the Nokia team will still be firing on all cylinders within Microsoft.  As a part of their new "devices and services" transformation, I think Microsoft could not have scored a bettter acquisition.   If only there was a way to retain or smoothly translate that legendary Nokia "brand".  Ironically, Microsoft has a long list of excellent hardware products under their belt.... but for whatever  reason, it's not at the forefront of the "Microsoft" brand in most people's minds.

Sam, and others...take a look at this article. Its a LONG read but explains the internal mess that is Microsoft. Shows why we don't have basic features and apps. I'm not bad mouthing MS but they have lots of work to do to get to Nokias level. The good thing is that if Elop takes the reigns maybe he will drive Microsoft like he drove the teams at Nokia. http://www.vanityfair.com/business/2012/08/microsoft-lost-mojo-steve-bal....

Sam, past doesn't support this. Zune, Kin, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone 7. Everything good has died a pityful death.

You can't just lump those four together. One, Zune didn't die. It evolved (devoled?) into Xbox Music. It's really still there and going to be getting back to it's former functionallity soon. Same with Windows Phone 7. 

Sam, can't you recognize marketing spin when you see it. That story about Nokia and MS working in two teams and coming up with the same 'values' is likely to be 100% bullshit.
 
I predict that MS will smother the Nokia ethos and we'll just end up with bland dogma. MS want to be 'more like Apple' it would seem, with integrated devices and software. They envy the profitability of Apple, but have to accept that MS will always be a volume business and cannot become a niche high margin player. They'll probably copy and just produce one over priced crap phone a year, thinking this is the secret sauce.
 
Apple have already run headfirst into a dead end and are about to fail big-time, unless they can build $99 off-contract phones. There's no point in trying to copy. All the money will be in volume at the low end before long, exactly where MS should be able to excel, and where Nokia were kings for a decade.

Both Zune and WP7 received high praises as devices/software - it was certainly not due to MS not putting in enough work but poor release timing of the product onto the market.

Except you can count on the fingers of one hand the number of "bad" Nokias while others...
Also, is there any guarrantee that Microsoft will pour the quality into their phones they did into the Surfaces? They spend a lot of money on the Surfaces quality build and they are, indeed, amazingly build. But their sales are a disaster. So I'm ready to bet the Surface 2 and other Microsoft hardware will be "cheaper" in terms of construction, just in case it backfires again. As for the "it will be better since that hardware team will work one on one with the software guys"...come on, Sam. Not even you believes that. Here's what'll happen: one of them will stall the others. Currently you have Nokia (hardware) pushing Microsoft (software) to evolve, perfect, inovate. With Microsoft controlling both that's highly unlikely to happen. Unless, of course, they fire Belfiore and the entire current WP team and replace them all with the Nokia developer team and we see a 180º degree change in the modus operandi of the software guys.

Microsoft just spent 7.1 billion dollars on Nokia. I don't think you need to worry about any sub-par products coming out. Quality should be the last concern. What is going to matter is how fast the two can work together. 

Money doesn't mean support, its like saying money can buy happiness!!! Nokia didn't just pour money, they were also the only OEM that really cared for windows phone! They made so many services and apps just for WP, were the reason 600 apps came to windows phone! They were the reason many developers came to windows phone, when Microsoft could barely keep up with Nokia! Just like with gdr2 and the Lumia 1020, I'm not hating on windows phone, but Nokia is the reason I love windows phone

So Sam, you think the amount Microsoft paid for Nokia shows something about the platform? Look no further than Skype. Microsoft paid WAY more for that than this acquisition, and look at the state it has been on their own Windows Phone platform.

Yes.  What about Skype? Should it be better? Always. But neither you nor I work for Micrsosoft and don't know the current technical limitations Skype brings. Althougth Windows Phone 8.1 and Skype should be very interesting ;)

Well that sort of my point. Microsoft does know the technical limitations. Both are their own products and they have sucked when mated together. It's no secret that Microsoft, internally, doesn't collaborate well. I don't need to be a employee to figure that out. The other platforms for which Skype is on has had a better overall experience.

Gotta agree here. You are correct when saying "It's no secret that Microsoft, internally, doesn't collaborate well" But that is what they have been on a mission to change since 2011. Since live services were gone, since zune was gone, even something as small as microsofts website now they finally look like they are one big company that offers Office, Windows, Surface, Windows Phone, Xbox, Skype, and Bing. They are getting there, slowly, but they are moving lol im loving the integration with Outlook and Skype for example. Or skydrive and outlook and skydrive and windows 8. Microsoft 10 years ago would of never had that integration that's for sure.

Dear Sam, Microsoft spent more on Skype and owns that company and yet, Windows Phone is the last OS that gets any new Skype features. This goes on to show that Microsoft spending money on something doesn't necessarily mean better product for users.
 
Not seeing improvements for the Microsoft user base where money is spent leads to the more likely outcome of Microsoft enforcing a faulty leadership on a superior team (whose key members may choose to leave, as some have already done) and bringing it down to their level. I think there is no argument that Nokia, unlike Microsoft in WP, had a superb team that was very agile in providing both great hardware and superior software and accompanying updates, while Microsoft was the big software guy with all the money and kept on not providing anything tangible to the users.
So no, buying Nokia doesn't necessarily mean support. It might prove to be the end of Nokia's quality, something that is not unheard of in the world of technology. Like what HP did with WebOS.

Skype was in other platforms first than WP... do you think they should stop supporting a platform only becuase they are adquired, that would show unprofessionalism by Bates.
ALso they had to develop for windows a way new app, with new apis and etc etc. I know its microsoft but they have no magical programmers that can do everything at once.
and its not like WP isnt getting the features same with Win8 app. its not like only because they are adquired by Microsoft, the technology ports automatically to Microsoft products... they need time.

Yes. Very obvious that it was on other platforms first. However when you pay BILLIONS of dollars for Skype and you are trying to stand up a mobile presence in the industry, you take care of your own first. Let iOS and Android marinate awhile, while you build up your own portfolio of offerings. It's exactly what those other companies would have done!

So what you're suggesting to MS is to abandoned all the iOS and Android users, make them totally hate MS, letting a competitor win them over, and then try at a later time to convince them to not only switch back to Skype but on a totally different platform from the same company that f*cked them in the first place?? Bravo.
 

No. What he means is those platforms already has latest and greatest of Skype which they are happy with. Stop your programmers messing about for those platforms. Bring those resources full time on WP development till all of YOUR OWN offerings on YOUR OWN platform are on par with other OS you've been serving for years. Once that's done, divide resources EQUALLY among these platforms.

The Skype feature update farce is proof that MS is not effectively integrated between its portfolio when they do not use new features on Skype to spotlight their OWN phone OS first. It would not be difficult to organize. 1. Ready all versions, WP8, WP7.8, Android, iOS
2. Release WP8 & WP7.8 versions
3. Wait one month
4. Release Android & iOS versions Honestly, how hard is that?

Argh!!!! I hate your little wink emoticon! after all this disheartening news ( I feel!) about Nokia selling to Ms . Wp8.1 better deliver . I mean we can't take any more bad news.oh and about Skype not only should it be better but the best . I always said feed your family good first then your neighbor but that's another story
Nokia phones have never let me down and I base my future purchase based on my history with that company guess what no history with a Microsoft phone.

Throwing money at stuff doesn't solve the problem. If it did, Microsoft would have surpassed Android by now. Also the 7 billion proposal wasn't clearly the figure MS wanted to give for Nokia but that that Nokia was able to milk from them. I'm not sure they'll want to keep throwing money as if there was no tomorrow. They won't. If WP doesn't start to make them a profit, they'll bring it down. Just like they did with every single thing that didn't brought them profits before.
We shouldn't forget they are a business. They're in it for the money.
So we should also think about quality. Though I'm sure they won't produce phones as well as Nokia, I wouldn't wish them to produce cheap crap like Samsung. As for the speed...yeah, exactly. And what can assure us that, just because they have hardware and software under the same roof they'll be able to work faster than until today? Nokia's hardware and software departments were pretty fast. Microsoft's software department is abysmally slow. I see a collision right there.
Well, not to mention Microsoft isn't particularly knowned as a company whose internal divisions work wonderfully together. Just look at the lack of cooperation and shared vision that exists between the Windows division and the Windows Phone division.
Ideally this restructuring of MS could lead to the end of that...but I highly doubt it. I think this "restructure" that they seek comes in the line of the "something must change so that everything remains the same".
I'm personally sad to potentially see Nokia as a collateral victim of this.
 

Looks how much they spent at Skype and Windows phone is just getting Video messages after iOS and Android
 
What about aQuantive ?

Come on dude really?Stop with all the doom and gloom.let's wait and see what happens with the first batch of Lumia's next year.

Let us stop assuming MS has already bought Nokia first, shall we? Because they didn't. Shareholders haven't approved, authorities haven't approved.
All that exists now is a proposal and a declaration of principal from Nokias Board of Directors and Microsoft. But the board of directors doesn't own Nokia. So this can lead to nowhere if the shareholders vote "nay". Or imagine someone comes along and offers to buy Nokia for a higher price? Someone who wants to p*ss off MS and get a new OEM...someone like...Google. It IS theoretically possible at this stage.
This is all hypothetical based on experience and current scenarios. 

Ohh DJCBS...how I hope you are right...i really hope something like that happens...right now...i would trust Nokia in hands of google more than MS...atleast Google wouldn't kill Nokia brand...that's for sure...and unlike Microsoft's need to control everything and everyone...Nokia could be free under anyone else...or better yet...themselves...first thing...Nokia should fire Elop...secondly...release an Android phone...n then prove to MD the fault of its ways...i read an article where someone commented that Android cannot save the world...where everyone failed except for Samsung...and partly Sony...but yeaa...if Nokia came in Android...who would go to Samsung then?? The software is ready...all Nokia needs to do is design a hardware that screams the Legend of Nokia...and boom...i mean...even if I am wrong...before Nokia sells out to MS and gets itself removed from the smartphone business forever...isnt the Android venture worth a shot??

*Slow clap* I agree 100% some people don't care about wp as much as they wanna see their favorite phone manufacturer produce things they love. Nokia is uniquely their own and to have it taken over is sad IMO. I wish Nokia looked at all options if it meant saving the name brand.

well said man ......Nokia + android = real samsung killer
now samsung can rule the world

So why should you even care - you have threatened to use iPhone several times already so you must already be using it by now.

I'm guessing all the complainers on her are switching to IOS or Android.Nokia was the only thing keeping them on WP to begin with.

You are right Chad...i am personally an extreme and loyal fan,of Nokia...i have had 5 Nokia phones over the past 6yrs...with the legendary N73 Music Edition being my first phone...and I cannot remember one second...when I did not love my phone...my latest one is a Lumia 920...and yea..it is good hardware...the design shouts beauty...only drawback is the OS...which is not that bad...only thing is...it isn't something Nokia needs to focus on building right now with its own future almost under water...
when the whole world is filling with people using Android and iOS...and we have to accept...Samsung is using Android to make some badass phones out there...which Nokia can...but still can't...how will MS ever see a future...without the Nokia brand...all stats say that only reason WP8 is even on third position...it beat blackberry...all happened...because of Nokia...if Nokia even now adopts Android...I'm sure...Nokia can easily beat Apple by the end of 2014...people want to see Nokia succeed...i can bet that more than half of the Samsung owners out there are dying to go back to Nokia...but are victims of advances in technology...the main reason why Nokia is getting screwed over between Elop and MS...i will still say...if MS removes Nokia brand name...noone can ever beat Android and iOS...BB is almost down...and this acquisition will push all other OEMs to Android...what will MS do with its Surface phones then?? Probably recognize a write down of 1billion dollars this time...

I'm sick of all the comments on here saying they should have went Android.There are only two companies making a profit off Android and that's Google and Samsung.

The deal is done.  The only avenue for google and apple to prevent the creation of microsoft's devices and services vision by acquiring nokia would be go straight to the regulators or the shareholders.  Microsoft is in the clear as they have put their most vocal opponent, value act, on ice thru a deft maneuver.  Nokia does not have an activist shareholder after them and the time for apple and google to groom one would be too late to stop the deal, and after the rise of Nokia's stock after the announcement, it would be a crazy hedge fund manager that would attempt it.  That would leave regulators.  This would be a painful and embarassing route which would pummel both companies more than they would hope to affect microsoft's rep as their points would reflect on their own business practices.  Monopoly?  WP is currently in the minority of handset numbers.  A litigation in the style of the 80's IE litigation?  IOs and Android have done similar and built an ecosystem, browsers, integrated into  their products as well.  Antitrust?  No go, and Microsoft can respond with Google's refusal to allow access to their services at the same par given to other players and Google has also acquired Motorola.   Most of the scenarios above would most likely play out in the next couple of months but they would avail nothing.  All the campaigning of Apple and Google to extinguish WP and to prevent the transition of microsoft to a services and devices company have come to naught with one itsy bitsy little deal.  You have to admire the artistry and sheer brilliance of that.  I still feel bad about it though.  I will forever cherish my 3310.

one of them will stall the other? come on. this is the last push for windows phone. the other oems are gone. it's microsoft and the nokia team. microsoft just spend $7 billion plus a lot more on marketing for the last three years and for the next few years. shareholders want to see results. i think the employees on microsoft team and the nokia team realize that if they don't succeed soon, they will all be out of jobs. some of the more talented designers might find jobs at samsung or apple and some of the systems engineers might find jobs at google or ios. however, most of those 32000 employees and however many work on windows phone will be put of work for a long time. Desperation and a nothing more to lose attitude can bring greatness. Apple only became great after they were on the brink of bankruptcy and started to take more gambles. we have to wait and see, but i think everyone at microsoft windows phone division knows how important it is to succeed now. the people we should worry about is the office and windows teams. they are still rakimg in the cash and aren't nearly under the same pressure. if the wp teams needs somethig from them, they migjt not deliver. we'll see if they can cooperate to realize the 3 screen  vision and merge wp and win8.

NOKIA will still be making the phones, but with MS Branding most likely.

I know what you are feeling Paul...i have a Nokia Lumia 920 myself with the exact same bet I've made on Nokia with my friends...maybe the deal is good...but I'm afraid of just one thing...MS should not destroy the Nokia brand name...if it does that...i think they will officially kill any hopes for WP to ever succeed...

It was a good read. But I had thought Dan Rubino had brokered the deal.

Sam Sabri's hit solgan "Let's check it out" is not in this article⁉

Hmmmm? I'm going to check it out.

Its after the break

Let's check you out, after the break. Don't forget to swipe to the right in our app. 

Idk, at first when this happened I was EXTREMELY happy but after all these stories of what really went down,the possibility of Nokia having gone android and more, I feel really worried for Nokia, before I first got my Lumia 900 I really had no idea what a windows phone was and I forgot Nokia existed, but ever since I got my 920 and I witnessed how much support they gave, I fell in love with the company, and now that Microsoft cant use the name Nokia on future smartphones, I feel like Nokia just died off and its really quite heart breaking

2016, the phoenix rises again. Worth the wait, good chance Nokia buys back the division or starts anew.

Not likely. They will be like IBM after sold off their computer business to Lenovo. Smartphones are becoming a low margin business, just like computers. Apple has the clout to command premium pricing, even though even that is starting to erode. Samsung is vertically integrated and can still make good profits. the rest are fighting for scrapes. Nokia isn't going to try to reenter this market after a 3 year absence, especially since their brand isn't strong in the US and weakened in Europe.

I am excited about the Surface Phone that gets updates without carriers approval

THIS!!!

Why fight so hard for HERE. M$ but especially Nokia should have paid whatever it takes for Waze!

If "we bought Nokia because WP wasn't growing enough" was the reason...I wonder what the shareholders who criticized from day one Eflop's decision of going with WP instead of Android will say about that. And how will they vote knowing that... 'cause that's basically the same as saying "Nokia will be killed because of WP lack of success". Also, if Siilasmaa was complaining about MS's offer...and now MS is TRYING to buy Nokia for such a low price...I wonder how ridiculously low was MS's initial proposal. Finally, Microsoft buys Nokia because they were frustrated with WP's lack of fast growth? By that logic it should be Nokia buying Windows Phone and not the other way around. If there's a problem with Lumias it's the operating system and the LACK of FEATURES and Apps. Nokia did more than her share trying to fix something that was Microsoft's responsability.
If Windows Phone doesn't appeal to more people, Microsoft and their sloth-team are the ones to blame. So I don't see how the source of the problem buying and destroying the only thing selling their product will help the product grow. Actually, I can even think of a few many reasons while it will work the other way around. Now on a less serious note:
"Ballmer had not seen a clear glass coffee table and had tripped, hitting his head and leaving a gash on his forehead, just above the eyebrow." In other words, God was giving them a sign of how stupid the idea is and none of them understood. I honestly suggest that God throws a Nokia 3310 to their heads next time.

I agree. This article is a b******. This was planned all along.

Even Stevie Wonder can see all of this was planned -- it kind of makes sense (now) why they changed Nokia Maps to Here Maps, which left people wondering why!

hahahaha... nice writeup man.

Interesting article. One thing that caught my eye (or I am reading too much into it): "As all that was going on, there was another major change going on at Microsoft. After a complicated series of events, Ballmer had decided he was going to retire as Microsoft CEO. Just ahead of that announcement, he called Siilasmaa and with, Siilasmaa’s permission, Elop"

I only read this article because Sam-I-Am told me too...

If Sam-I-Am told you to jump off a bridge would you?

Let's find out.

To quote a wise man..."pretty cool how things went down." Funny how yours is the only comment on all things d Sam. Props to WPC for relating a good story and getting more eyeballs on (and comments about) it.

That was a good read

Just to add, it was holidays up here in the Great White North.

Please keep the white walkers away from us.

Pffft, Paavo Nurmi wasn't a sprinter!! :P a great read, and thank you Siilasmaa for at least saving HERE. Interestingly,apparently, no other serious buyers were in sight. And Still no Trojan either.

NSN is there main thing. HERE is just to supplement that role. Interesting, nonetheless.

If Nokia can no longer be called Nokia, I predict MS will not sell on its own. Although I really like WP, I love Nokia more. I decided to buy my 920 for Nokia, not for WP, and I am pretty sure that is the reason why WP has escalated positions, other wise, this OS would have vanished long time ago. Long live Nokia

Very interesting read.  Also helps to show that Nokia was interested in this deal, and that it's not some kind of hostile aquisition by Microsoft.

Yeah yeah, and the Santa Claus does exist.
This was a very smoothly planned acquisition from the start.

Too funny "and Santa Claus does exist" -- True words though mate!

OMG! MS is NOT buying Nokia, they are buying a division. I wonder how long it will take WPCentral to get this.

The main division.
The division that concerns phones.

Nokia will still own the Nokia brand and all the patents, and much more. Hence, Nokia has not been bought by MS, that is an ignorant headline.

"all the patents" lol please....

"Nokia's CTO (Chief Technology Office) organization and patent portfolio will remain within the Nokia Group"
 
http://press.nokia.com/2013/09/03/nokia-to-sell-devices-services-business-to-microsoft-in-eur-5-44-billion-all-cash-transaction/

Then what will they own?? Microsoft is creating an exclusive a WM phone with its own manufacturing of hardware. Not a diluted brand like Android, when you get inconsistent quality in its OS and features in various brands. They tried to solidify with Motorola but its not working for Google. In a couple of years Microsoft will corner the Market.

But not the main profitable one, just the main recognizable one.

Another "tile" program to voice our displeasure with this accusation, with MD displeasure/ failure over their attempt at market share of their substandard unit, the platform works otherwise all you Nokiaites would be justifidly braging your phone has blazing-hot Snapdragon, dual core reactor. Now, this is ms prob.

"READ THIS..."?!? Really? Really!? I last saw a headline with this in it in grade 10 desktop publishing class. Perhaps you are not sure that us readers really know which articles to read? :S

Which is exactly why you should read it. Because if you had read it, you would know that we were pointing readers to an excellent article on AllThingsD. So yes, please read it next time. 

^^ pmsl

I don't get where people get off saying that MS won't build a phone with Nokia's quality and support.
Every Microsoft product I've ever owned has been well built and with outstanding support.
Zune - quality, excellent support
Surface - quality, haven't used support
Mouse & keyboard - best around
Xbox - quality (except 1st Gen 360)

This guy has a point. 1st generation Xbox's were crap. The 1st generation Zune were good. The 2nd (Zune80/Zune Flash) was great. The Zune HD was the best MP3 player ever built along with software that is the best at managing music.

Another point is that the people who are making Nokia's now are the same people who will be making the phones (whatever they call it) tomorrow.
It's not as if they are only buying the rights, they've bought the whole boat.

If Elop was a Trojan horse, then he deserves to be the next Microsoft CEO. That move was genius. Its like a hostile takeover without any hostility.

He wasn't the main party pushing for negotiations, a key part, he knows Nokia was just starting to gain momentum, 50 million smart devices to break even is still at least two years away.

Well I think the problem with WP sales stem from Microsoft's continuing unwillingness to believe that the words "Microsoft" and "Windows" each cut their market share in half, and their Marketing Dept.'s utter inability to sell anything to Consumers looking for something that's cool and fun.
So MS buying Nokia isn't going to fix either problem. Rebrand it as "Surface Phone, design by Nokia" and they'd have half a chance.

Look at the big picture, Microsoft/Windows may not be names that garner a lot of respect (it does for me), but that is their company. They must make it work and they'll never change the perception of their name if they refuse to use it.

Or just keep calling it Lumia. Nothing wrong with having a brand name that has the potential to rival the Galaxy brand. Only recently had it started to stick...taking it out would be well, awful. Wouldn't mind a Microsoft Lumia 920.

What I've read, it seems Lumia might stick around.

The issue isn't how deep MS's pockets are; it's whether they have the capability to execute. You can talk all you want about efficiencies and vertical integration, but given MS's famed bureaucratic dysfunction and political infighting, mixed with CEO succession politics, and 32k new employees and a business they don't fully understand or appreciate, I'd bet things are only going to slow down and key Nokia talent will leave, as the head of design already has.

It's definitely a great article and a great read.

Since they are not using Nokia's name going forward I just hope they do the right thing and call it the XPhone or Xbox Phone and I still love the Zune name.

I've owned Nokia phones since "the human touch" days. Felt sad about Nokia having to sell out its mobile phone division. I bought the Lumia 920 coz of Nokia's passion for design and excellence in build quality and the human touch they bring to their phones which other manufacturers seem to miss. I just hope that ppl at MS share the same passion for design and build quality like Nokia did.

It's the same people, just a new corporate structure.

I freaking give up. How are people not getting this picture?

I don't know.
It's frustrating and I can only account it to Microsoft hate (or ignorance)... odd since these people have bought phones with a Microsoft OS.

No picture or video to get :P
simple :Nokia is now run by MS not by NOKIA ideologies ..so how its same?? :D

coz corporate structure does factor into design. Different corporate structure, different design. You might disagree but if you're boss has a different design in mind you'd better adjust accordingly. I couldn't imagine the corporate minded microsoft design team making colored polycarbonate phones, they most likely would have gone a more classical corporate look. That's why I would have loved for Nokia and Microsoft to cooperate but not mashup. A different take on a windows phone. But boil it down and I feel the effort and love that goes into a Nokia phone, their apps and their support which I can't compare to microsoft. Not that microsoft design is bad, just don't feel the love.

No Sam, you are not getting it. It is the 'brand' that sells. People would first pick up that phone because it says 'Nokia' irrespective which country it was built/manufactured in, not because of what is underneath or who is behind it. We are all mistaking these tech sites frequenters such as us, as representing the general public, and it is we who know the behind-the-scenes, but it is not possible to make those millions of future prospective customers who will not know that the soul is still Nokia. I see all these people around me using Android phones going wow at Nokia because it is Nokia. (They will not buy it because it's not Android, but that is a story for another day). In conclusion, Nokia sells whether you prefer to be politically correct or not.

On a different note, why don't Nokia go out and buy Jolla (Meego). Would love to see another Nokia\Meego phone ;)

I see the scar! Interesting read.

Good read, Still a little unsure of wher the "HERE" situation stands though. I understand that they have a license to use it. But, is there still the possibility that anyone will use it? Could we see it show up on an android device or Apple device? Not saying they would want it, just asking if it is still possible? Also, can Nokia still sell it if they choose to? What if Apple decided to offer them 15 billion just for "HERE", is that something that could still happen? I am hoping this stays with Windows and only Windows. Think they need it exclusive to help the platform. I also agree about Surface. I think that should have been the OS's name instead of a product name. Should have been Surface phone, Surface tab etc. The words "Microsoft" and "Windows" do more harm than good. Not fair, but true.

I was stunned by the level of details of some very very freaking important high class confidential market changing meetings. But interesting read regardless of the veracity of the journalist's sources.
 
And I honestly don't know what to expect from this. I do know, however, that is a pity that the Nokia brand for phones will be gone. I (happily) bet on WP mostly because of Nokia. In my country (Brazil) Nokia has a huge following and the brand is really loved. The lack of Nokia's appeal is the worrying factor out of this story. At least for me...

Completely agree. It is a huge issue. The problem is there is really no way around it at this point. they can't use the Nokia name now which is a huge, huge mistake. And as much as I wish they could, it's too late to change the name of Windows Phone to Surface or whatever else. I guess the best bet is to not include "Microsoft" at all in the branding and try to run with the "Lumia" name. But yeah, huge mistake, and very concerning. Right when they finally starting getting momentum and brand recognition too.

The deal is good but I have to agree about the brand.  One of the things that made me jump over  to WP was the NOKIA brandname.  I accept intellectually that it is a good deal but I still feel bummed about the deal.  There will never be a Nokia branded phone again has a big emotional weight for me, I have to say repeat it to myself and I still can't absorb the implications.

Just because Microsoft has Nokia devices or will, doesn't mean they can change the market share. The problem is the fact that WP is developing so, so slowly. It lacks in basic features, doesn't get that many official apps and Microsoft doesn't seem to care about WP. If they poured as much energy as they do into Xbox, things would be different.

You realize the MS just poured over 7 billion dollars into Windows Phone right? That everything Nokia did for WP was through or with the help of Microsoft right? That MS repeatedly has been saying that the future Windows 8 and Surface are dependent on WP right?
I don't buy this "Microsoft doesn't care about Windows Phone" for one second. They have sank too much into it already not to care. They pay devs a higher percentage for their on store apps than anyone else. They pay devs to bring their apps to WP. They even build apps for some of these services (YouTube, Facebook, instagram, etc).
Microsoft's future is all in on the "3 screens" plan, if it fails... well, dark days ahead for MS. It has taken time to get this far and its gonna take even more time to get where they want it to be. I suspect in the next 2 years we will see the plan start to come together.

Both Nokia and Microsoft were frustrated with the single digit marketshare of Windows Phone, despite both companies pouring money into marketing - Where? I hardly saw some ads on TV and one or two hoardings on the road, the ads on the TV were crappy as hell and the hoardings where overshadowed by other hoardings of Samsung and Sony. I saw more ads and hoardings of local shoe company than of Nokia and Windows Phone.

I don't know where you live or what channels you watch, but I have lots of advertisements. Particularly for the 1020, all of my iFan friends know about it - that's not by coincidence.
Edit: as a matter of fact, check the article just posted on WPC. It shows off one of the forms of advertisement.

Agreed. It was Preplanned destruction. They do every effort to bring Nokia down.

Yes it was preplanned, if it wasn't, Microsoft would of also bought the rights to use Nokia on smartphones -- this was the easiest and cheapest way for Microsoft to release 'surphase phones' or what ever they would call them, and killing Nokia (their biggest competitor in terms of WP8). Plus they have got an whole load of patents along the way -- I bet it would cost a fortune, for Microsoft to start from scratch, and then have to compete against Nokia -- only a fool would start from scratch!

The Lumia sales were mostly due to brand 'Nokia'. Most people dont care about a Microsoft phone. It will be interesting to see the Microsoft phones minus the Nokia logo.

I bet, Microsoft will regret buying Nokia. Once employees start leaving, end of Nokia will begin. We lost most trusted and lovable mobile brand due to cheap business strategy.

No you are losing the Nokia brand because they failed to act 6 years ago and fell behind.

I don't know why Nokia killed Symbian. Why dint they develop it? Symbian was much better than Android and WP also.

Trojan elop: mission completed sir!
"ball"mer : good job! :P

They tried to develop it. They gave it 100% for longer than they should have and it just wasn't enough. They came to me to ask my company to make games for Symbian. I'm sure we were just one of many companies they begged to make apps for them. On analysis, for us it just didn't make sense, and no just because of Symbian's small market share, but because of the direction it was going -- downhill. Nokia needed MS and their OS just like MS needed Nokia and their focus, phone know-how, and quality manufacturing. This has been an entirely symbiotic relationship. The Pro-Nokia and anti-MS comments really don't make sense. This has been a match made in heaven. I hope it remains so through the acquisition. For what it's worth, I agree with the Nokia fans who think MS should keep the name, especially in the markets where Nokia is strong.

When WW3 ends and the nuclear fallout clears, if there are still human beings walking on this world, I know that somewhere, somehow, a nokia 3310/lumia 920 would still be ringing out that nostalgic ringtone and hopefully still connecting people.  ;)

This microsoft and nokia deal is not amazing at all you mean to tell me that nokia as a phone will not exist again after all this many years of struggling?
will the altenticity and behaviour still be there for the upcoming lumia device. To be frank buying nokia will not change any thing i would not improve window phone neither will it worsen, did android buy any phone? yet they are doing well buying nokia will even make window phone loose clients as you can see the clients are already shaking as they are all going to head for android becouse nokia will eventually take the remaining 30% left for other device.
what windows phones needs to do is improve their apps and get more apps to their app store not aquisition of hardware the problem is with the platform
 

Motorola.   Your argument is invalid

lets look at things critically here the little secret of acheiving, all other platforms have unique things as a stimulous of geting consumers lets see apple ios they have the reachest app store so far with variety of apps needed to satistify comsumer now thats their stimulous but ios is not open for many device it just sticked to iphone.
Now android on the other hand had almost the same characteristics with ios their stimulous was making the platform avaliable to other devices trending on ios weak point.
Rim of blackberry came in with a thought of what other platforms dont have which is the bbm and they made  a great smash and leaving symbian far behind and nokia began to panic that was black berry's stimulous the BBM i know how that phone sold in africa flooding the whole market people couldnt do without BBM every home had a black berry till today despite they have been pushed to fourth position by window phone thats a great move from window phone.
Am not saying this because i hate windowphone am a big fan of window phone platform but if not nokia with its amazing map windowphone would not even go a mile that is while nokia has been pulling the market share in windowphone.
TELL ME what stimulous has window phone got? have not seen any nokia map is not enough to pull consumers even with small app windowphone can pull as many  consumer as needed if they can make that thing that no other has and people are envious of because people will not leave other os for windowphone if they can not be offered what others cant offer them windowphone should only buy nokia map sevice thats all and focus on getting what other dont have and not pursuing them in who dominates in app because windowsphone cant catch then because they are not sleeping look for something else to pull your croud then apps will come because developer are after profit the more consumer the more developers the more apps THATS MY IDEA AND CONTRIBUTION.

its disgusting to hears such a news windowphone should work hard on apps and services not hardware i expected them to buy or ask nokia to render them sevices not buying nokia even at buying nokia it will not clear the fustration at hand window phone should do what i ask them to do and they will suceed they had a great move by producing app studio beta they have forgotten or rather they dont know that they are not good at chasing or competing with other thats for android windowphone's is inventing they should stick to it and others will come begging and what ever they design they should seize the lincense or patient
 

Steve Ballmer and Steve Wozniak in an alternate reality matchup? How could that had unfolded?? Woz: I love my polish jokes!!
Ballmer: Ohh computer language... Fortran!!!

Microsoft destroyed Nokia

Nokia destroyed themselves, Microsoft saved them.

Your stupidity and blindness knows no bounds.

DJCBS read my Comment below the actual story of unethical Stephen Elop & Steve Ballmer and how they record their names in the history of not just tech world instead in the whole cooperate world.

Ok, where was Nokia before 2011?
They were irrelevant and on the cusp of complete failure.
I'm wandering what you are still doing here, why worry about Windows Phone when you want an iPhone?

Dear, Josh! (Being Poliet) Pls. read the story below I wrote and read what WPCentral has to say in contrast to what I said. You may well be able to judge the fact by yourself and you may still have your own belief I cant impose my views on you, but just want to read it once.

Agreed!! Read the True story below and the Actual Chat of Steve Ballmer and Stephen Elop.

This deal still doesn't really change anything for Microsoft or Windows Phone.   It's more of a defensive move, to keep the Nokia handset division from going to a competitor.
The problem of little developer support, and slow OS updatesfrom Microsoft, still remain.   And now, you're adding, with this deal, Osborning most of Nokia's current branded devices.
WP has to basically start again, in a year, from zero.
I'm beginning to think the OS is at a dead end.   The transition/acquisition period alone takes their eye off the ball, they'll essentially be out of the mobile game for months.

Microsoft Fan site stating Stupid fake story else their business to will disolve.
Fact is:
1. From January 2008 to September 2010, Elop worked for Microsoft as the head of the Business Division, responsible for theMicrosoft Office and Microsoft Dynamics line of products, and as a member of the company's senior leadership team. It was during this time that Microsoft's Business Division released Office 2010.
2. In September 2010, it was announced that Elop would take Nokia's CEO position, replacing Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, and becoming the first non-Finnish director in Nokia's history. On 11 March 2011 Nokia announced that it had paid Elop a $6 million signing bonus, “compensation for lost income from his prior employer," on top of his $1.4 million annual salary.
3. Sold Nokia Devices & Services Unit for MUCH LESS than Microsoft boutght Skype for. Why so..?? Elop accepted the deal to sell off Nokia in just $4.99 billion where Microsoft bought Skype(a mere app) for $8.5 billion(alomst double).
4. Elop(CEO of Nokia & Former Microsoft's Senior team manager) kills Nokia in 3yrs(2010-13) and sold it off to Microsoft at a much lesser price(He saved Microsoft's money). Now, Stephen Elop got the job at Microsoft as 'In charge of the division of Nokia that is being sold to Microsoft'.
5. After he brought a legendary company's corpse to Microsoft. Now, Stephen Elop eyes for the CEO position of Microsoft after Steve Ballmer steps aside(after 13 yrs as CEO).
6. By bringing Nokia's corpse to Microsoft he adds a huge halo to become the most loyal and eligible CEO for Microsoft.
7. Just to become a bigger CEO Stephen Elop sacrified a legendary company. Nokia got crushed between Cooperate politics.
8. Microsoft is not gonna brand their Phone division with Nokia as a brand name. So ppl pls Nokia is disolved & destroyed by Stephen Elop to become the most eligible CEO of Microsoft. Rest you can now conclude what is the truth that Stephen Elop was a Trojan Horses sent by Microsoft or Not.
Here is the True story and I'm further copy pasting the exact Chat of Steve Ballmer & Stephen Elop, Which WPCentral hides, I dont know why they're aren't being as fair as Engadget, Verge and Others. However, Stephen Elop cant be considered as a CEO in the truest sense because tomorrow he can sell off Microsoft for his further progress. How unethical he is or can be... SMH....

Stephen Elop has eloped with Steven Ballmer in the corporate marriage of the decade. Did this conversation of "Trojan Horse" strategy take place?   Ballmer: "Stephen, this is Steven, saaay, have I got a proposal for youuu."   Elop: "Just whisper it in my ear. Our Cloud division manager just told me the SEC has a tap on my line."   Ballmer: "Good point. I like you, your always thinking." "OK, here's the plan....You accept the CEO position at Nokia."   Elop: "What? I've got kids in school right here in Redmond. I'm not going to Finland."   Ballmer: "Stay with me on this. We need a mobile phone for our operating system."   Elop: "Yeah, but Nokia uses Symbian. What makes you think I can get them to switch?   Ballmer: "To quote a close friend of mine, "We'll make them an offer they can't refuse."   Elop: "And you want me to send them a message?"   Ballmer: "No, I want you to tell them we've had a falling out." "And you are willing to bring them all of your 'experience.' "Once inside, you make the OS switch."   Elop: "But they are currently the hottest selling mobile phone out there, what makes you think I can get them to roll over?   Ballmer: "Convince them that Android is just a flash in the pan, and Symbian doesn't stand a chance, and you can deliver Windows on a silver platter."   Elop: "Brilliant, then what ?"   Ballmer: "We break them down, little by little, until they are too weak to make it on their own. Then, as a consoling friend, we offer to buy them out."   Elop: "Do you think it will work?"   Ballmer: "Like a charm, and we'll lend them some money on top of it all."   Elop: "What for?"   Ballmer: "Because Nokia is going to be so weak, we will buy out the rest of the company as a creditor for a dime on the dollar. The EU is not going to approve a buyout for the whole company right now, but we can get it later without a fight."   Elop: "What's in it for me?"   Ballmer: "I got to retire out before this thing hits the fan. So..... I'll propose that you are he best man at our wedding, and who better than you, to be our next CEO."   Elop: "Yippeee"

Obviously it will be single digit share when it was WP7 coz basic functions were missed out (even in wp8 many are still missed out) for no proper reason eg : no bluetooth sharing, how can it grow...???? Even their own consumer's cry was responded so slowly ..... 
and they are wondering and frustrated .... funny

I "share" using Bluetooth all the time.

He's just repeating PR talking points of Google and Apple.  He hasn't used a windows phone, particularly a nokia.  IOS and android OS are pretty similar which are derivatives of XP, WP8 is a different paradigm altogether.  The basics are there but you do things differently.  They're looking at WP thru the lens of their usage of other phone Os.  As one who used WP (therefore I'm looking at other phone OS thru my experience with WP),  I would argue a case that some basic functionality in windows phone are totally lacking in android and ios.  I guess your first smartphone would color your outlook somewhat.  It's a great thing then that most first time smartphone users are going for WP.

Not wp8 my dear, i am using wp8 now and sharing isnot a problem, but not in wp7 back then, that's what i was talking. And for the record i have not used ios or android. I am nokia fan had used nokia phones all along except once when i used Karbonn which was crap as hell (before the days of android). but what i want to say is that most desktop users of windows would expect something similar in functionality like easy file explorer option, freedom of custom sms tones, using custom ringtones without the need to add in the ringtones folder which actually occupies space, at least the functionality to play next video from the video player itself.. We can go on and on which most early adopters would take for granted...
i don't deny the fact of it being smooth, fresh, relatively secure, keyboard goodness, live tiles, people hub fb,twitter, Skype integration..etc
but as a loyal user we expect our platform to be better not comparable as nokia ceo has said ' reason to use ' over the other platform must be there.

Sorry if I jumped to conclusions. Acknowledged, Nice valid points.

They should think how are we going to satisfy our customers first not how to double the pay check