Microsoft has finally completed its purchase of mobile phone maker Nokia, the start of which was announced all the way back in September 2013. The deal will reportedly cost Microsoft $7.2 billion, though Nokia expects the final fee to be slightly more.
This brings the Nokia smartphone line, which has been a major supporter of Windows phones (especially the Lumia) into Microsoft's control. The software giant will be rebranding Nokia's devices as Microsoft Mobile as the transformation into a "hardware, too" company reaches its highest point yet.
Microsoft has increasingly edged its way into the hardware space. The Xbox brand is perhaps its most successful hardware endeavor, but it's certainly not the only one. They offered the Zune MP3 player, which ultimately failed, in addition to its current Surface tablet-computer hybrid devices (which I can personally endorse).
Microsoft now owns the most successful Windows phone pusher in Nokia, which puts it in a unique position. It is simultaneously attempting to convince other manufacturers to create devices that use Windows 8.1 while also creating software for what are now hardware competitors.
Google is arguably in a similar position pushing Android while trying to sell its own devices such as the Nexus, but with its operating already dominant in the market, Google does not need to convince companies to use it, nor is it desperate for Nexus sales.
Nokia also produces Android devices--it will be interesting to see what Microsoft plans to do with those, perhaps cutting down on the number of models and converting most to Windows. Microsoft is gaining 25,000 employees from Nokia, and is now responsible for the more than 200 million annual units shipped by the phone manufacturer. The Windows-running Lumia lineup made up just 30 million of those devices. It will be interesting to watch where Microsoft takes its new smartphone business now, but it's clear they're serious about both hardware and the success of Windows on mobile devices.
Source: The Verge