One of the most enticing "what-ifs" of recent years has come true: Microsoft has purchased Nokia's Devices and Services unit, it announced today. It unites Windows Phone 8 with its biggest hardware supporter, and gives the company an integrated solution across hardware and software. Microsoft paid 3.79 billion Euros for Nokia's business, plus another 1.65 billion Euros for its portfolio of patents.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/2/4688530/microsoft-buys-nokias-devices-and-services-unit-unites-windows-phone

RG would be so happy, Windows 8 Phone might start getting better, now that Microsoft controls both hardware and software

This is something like the number one news of the year in Finland. Nokia was our flagship. But they were just too unimaginative once technology developed to allow more of everything. From marketing to product design it was boring boring boring. You can't sell mobile devices any longer by just having the latest technology, you need to have the appeal, the feel, you must sell the idea instead of the gigazillion megapixel camera or whatever.

Nokia failed, so the sale was probably inevitable, we'll see what Microsoft can do with Nokia's phones and patents.

I think it won't change the fortune of Nokia because the market is totally dominated by iOS and Android.

iOS had the upper hand because iPhone was the first touchscreen mobile which was really unique at the time, and therefore Apple dominated the market for some time. Then, Android came along based on copying this and that, and Google took advantage of licensing which Apple has never done; Google has exploited the only major opening.

Microsoft's version of mobile OS really tries to be different, but so far the feed-backs are not good. Add that to the fact that the market is completely saturated with iOS and Android, the chance for Nokia to take off is really slim.

People have been saying that Bill Gates was often caught flat footed in terms of "catching the big tech waves". Well, under Ballmer, it's been worse: Microsoft waited for so many years before releasing its own version of mobile OS, not to mention the giant failure of the Surface venture. Fortunately, Microsoft "sacked" Ballmer.

Nokia phones such as Asha are big sellers in 3rd world countries, it won't make them much money as the profits are low on them