Looks like Nokia has been talking with Microsoft over the sale of its handset business. According to the Wall Street Journal’s sources, the two were actually close to striking a deal earlier this month until those talks have broken down. The same sources say it was Microsoft that walked away from the deal over concerns about Nokia’s asking price.
The two companies will still be co-operating like nothing has happened in an effort to push sales of Windows Phones forward.
We’re not sure what to think of this. On one hand, Microsoft is in the software business and acquiring Nokia would make its other partners even more wary about embracing Windows Phone. On the other hand, after launching two Surface tablets – the Redmond giant is now more than ever open to making its own hardware. Perhaps owning Nokia could help it drive Windows Phone faster, perhaps not.
Meanwhile, we can’t wait for the launch of the Nokia EOS, which could give users “41 million reasons” to switch platforms…
[Via: Engadget]