Earlier today Microsoft announced that they are purchasing Nokia’s device unit, which includes their mobile phone division and the ‘Lumia’ and ‘Asha’ smartphone brands.
The purchase of Nokia’s mobile unit, will in effect turn Microsoft into a smartphone maker, and put them in competition with a number of Manufacturers who produce smartphones using Microsoft’s Windows Phone software.
Microsoft has also announced that it will continue to license its Windows Phone software to other manufacturers, which should come as no surprise, as Microsoft is looking to compete against other mobile OS’s with Windows Phone.
It will be interesting to see what the other smartphone makers have to say about Microsoft’s move into the smartphone hardware arena, and whether they will continue to produce Windows Phone devices.
Source Slashgear