Microsoft and Nokia Finally Sign a Definitive Agreement
In the past, we heard rumors of the Finnish phone manufacturer tying up with the software giant Microsoft. There were more rumors that stated Nokia was unimpressed with the Windows Phone 7 platform’s current state. Recently, both companies confirmed that negotiations were on the works, but nothing was final. Just today, we are finally seeing things in motion. Microsoft and Nokia finally sign a definitive agreement. 
With the partnership of the two companies confirmed in ink, Nokia announced that it was working double time on a roster of handsets that were powered by the Windows Phone 7 platform. We did hear reports of a mobile phone expert getting his hands on the W7 and W8 prototypes. Are these Windows smartphones part of the roster of handsets Nokia is working hard to develop? We certainly hope so.
In terms of release dates, the Finnish company stated that the handsets will be shipped in bulk by 2012. However, there is still speculation that we will get to see initial Nokia WP7 smartphones sometime in 2011. Again, we certainly hope so. There are hordes of consumers who are eager to see what the smartphone manufacturer and the software giant have been hard at work on.
In addition to the signing, Nokia Devs are now starting to port services and key applications to the said platform. It seems that mapping and navigation are the main attractions. There will also be a Store that carries the brand “Nokia” influenced by the Windows Marketplace. We’re still waiting to see how this works out.
To top it all off, Microsoft confirms that it will be paying Nokia billions upon billions as stipulated on the agreement. A part of Microsoft’s investment will be for the completion of an intellectual property sharing agreement shared by the two companies. Will this jumpstart Windows-powered Nokia smartphones as one of the dominant forces in the smartphone market? We’ll see how everything pans out.
Source: Engadget
