Microsoft Officially Kills Off Nokia Brand

Mobile phone fans around the world would be forgiven for shedding a tear today as Microsoft announced it is officially pulling the plug on the historic Nokia brand name.

The computing giant confirmed the news in an official Facebook posting by Nokia France, stating that even its official Facebook page will be updated with the ‘Microsoft Lumia’ brand name in the first of many rebranding exercises for its websites and social media accounts across the world.

Rebrand

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Microsoft was planning to move the Nokia.com website over to its existing website as part of its Christmas consumer push. The company launched a new Microsoft Mobile Devices site last move covering all smartphones and tablets, with different countries being moved over in stages.

Microsoft officially acquired Nokia’s Services and Hardware Business in April 2014 for £4.6bn as part of its push into the mobile devices market (such as the Lumia 830, pictured left), although the Finnish firm still lives on developing mapping and network infrastructure.

The company announced the launch of its HERE maps app for all Android devices yesterday, offering users all the usual mapping tools alongside the option to download entire regions (such as country and continents) for use offline – completely free.

Microsoft acquired approximately 25,000 new employees located in 50 countries as part of the Nokia deal, which it hopes will strengthen its Windows Phone offering, whose share of the smartphone market is still small compared to iPhone and Android.

Nokia originally joined Microsoft’s Windows Phone initiative in early 2011, becoming the most successful device manufacturer for that platform.

Earlier this month, Microsoft revealed Windows 10, the latest version of its operating system software, which for the first time will actively look to span across the full range of different device forms, from PC to tablet to smartphone.

“We’re not talking about one UI to rule them all – we’re talking about one product family, with a tailored experience for each device,” the company said. “Windows 10 will deliver the right experience on the right device at the right time. It will be our most comprehensive platform ever.”

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