With Nokia, Microsoft Has No More Excuses

Nokia is now a part of Microsoft. When the dust settles, the new Microsoft will have its guns aimed directly at Google and Apple.

Microsoft has made a big deal recently of transition itself to be a “Devices and Services” business. Buying Nokia’s device business is the easiest way to make that transition happen in one kit and kaboodle. Microsoft expects the deal to be approved in the first quarter of 2014.

Then what?

Game Of Phones: Apple Vs. Google Vs. Microsoft Define Next Decade

First, Microsoft becomes a vertically integrated device company with the capability to design everything about its mobile products from the operating system to how the hardware looks and runs, along with the manufacturing chops to build and distribute those devices itself. Microsoft didn’t just buy an existing unit and the sales that go with it, but an entire operation that it can integrate top to bottom.