Microsoft reportedly renaming Nokia Oyj to Microsoft Mobile

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After a few last minute delays, Microsoft and Nokia have announced that the former’s acquisition deal will close on April 25th. In the deal worth $7.2 billion, Microsoft will be acquiring the entirety of Nokia’s Devices and Services business.

In a letter sent to suppliers, however, an interesting little detail not included in the official press release was found. “Please note that upon the close of the transaction between Microsoft and Nokia, the name of Nokia Corporation/Nokia Oyj will change to Microsoft Mobile Oy,” reads the statement. The Nokia name will reportedly still be used for the company’s other properties, such as its mapping solution HERE. But the rebranding hints at a future where Nokia’s mobile phones will no longer bear the Nokia name.

Microsoft Mobile Oy will serve as the company’s mobile devices division, which puts Microsoft in a fairly new position. The company has traditionally sold their operating systems to licensed manufacturers, leaving them to make the devices. With the company having developed two generations of Surface tablets, and most recently dropping the license fees for Windows devices under 9 inches, it’ll be interesting to see whether manufacturers will remain interested if Microsoft starts putting out quality flagship devices from their in-house teams, essentially competing with its own partners.

[via CNET]

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