News just broke that Microsoft has acquired Nokia’s handset and devices division. Here is the intro from the press release:
Microsoft to acquire Nokia Devices & Services, accelerating the Windows ecosystem
Nokia and Microsoft have always dreamed big – we dreamed of putting a computer on every desk, and a mobile phone in every pocket, and we’ve come a long way toward realizing those dreams.
Today marks a moment of reinvention.
I don’t know if this comes as a shocker to many since speculation of this acquisition has been in the works for some time.
We will have a number of more in-depth analysis of this acquisition and it’s impact to the industry in the days to come for our Tech.pinions Insiders. But for now I encourage you to read Tim Bajarin’s prediction of this even from 2011. His analysis of why Microsoft would buy Nokia still stands today as the context that makes sense of this acquisition.
Vertical is the trend. Any company who owns hardware, software, and services bound together as a complete ecosystem presents themselves as a formidable competitor positioned for the long haul. Doesn’t mean all will be successful with this recipe but many will try none-the-less.