Contrary to everyone else I actually think this is a smart move. Personally, I didn't find Windows Phone 7 too bad compared to an iPhone.
The only thing that Apple has in its favour is the RDF.
Nokia needs a differentiating OS, Android is not that OS. I don't think Nokia wants to become a bit part commodity hardware manufacturer. So Windows Phone 7 might turn out to be a smart move.
Nokia is in a position to capture the cheap smartphone category, a category that is still up for grabs.
but other companies like htc, motorola etc. can also manufacture WP7 phones.
and nokia cannot make too many changes to functionality even if allowed as it would fragment the WP7 app-market. even gui based changes would kill the ui-consistency that MS is touting..
so i do not understand how nokia is differentiating itself by becoming a WP7 phone manufacturer...
I think it is about the developer/apps/market place "ecosystem". Elop mentioned that in the burning platform memo. I'd give Microsoft some credit in their developer relationship machine that's already in place.
The deal makes sense to me in terms of economies of scale ... more popular OS = more developers/apps.
The only thing that Apple has in its favour is the RDF.
Nokia needs a differentiating OS, Android is not that OS. I don't think Nokia wants to become a bit part commodity hardware manufacturer. So Windows Phone 7 might turn out to be a smart move.
Nokia is in a position to capture the cheap smartphone category, a category that is still up for grabs.