Microsoft announced its intent to acquire the mobile hardware division of Nokia. Nokia that had established a long-term partnership with Microsoft to produce smartphones with Windows Phone OS, has its hardware division acquired in a deal worth 3.79 billion euros, along with another 1.65 billion to license Nokia's portfolio of patents.
Steve Ballmer considered the $7.2 billion purchase to be a "bold step into the future" for both companies, primarily as a result of its recent collaborations. The acquisition does not include the Here mapping service or the infrastructure division Nokia Solutions and Networks, which will be retained by Nokia.
