Microsoft's New Finnish Friend
When Stephen Elop left Microsoft to take over Nokia, pundits wondered what really happened. Did Elop leave on good terms? Apparently he did as he and Steve Ballmer just struck a deal where Nokia, a cell phone powerhouse, will commit itself almost entirely to Windows Phone 7.
Observers naturally conclude the deal is designed to blunt both the iPhone and Android. And because the logic is so simple, I (and even my four-year-old daughter) tend to agree.
This is good news for Microsoft, but a risky deal for Nokia. Mobile is one of the most dynamic areas of the market (PCs, Office suites and servers are on the low side of the dynamic totem pole). If Nokia makes the wrong bet, this Finnish company could be kuollut liha (Finnish for dead meat).
I wish Windows Mobile well as it increases competition, but Android, iPhone and the BlackBerry are pretty fearsome competitors.
What is you mobile phone of choice? E-mail me from your phone, PC or iPad at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 02/11/2011 at 1:18 PM