Rumors of a partnership between these two companies surfaced early this week when Nokia CEO Stephen Elop said in a memo that the company was not doing too well and that they needed to do things differently. Today it’s official. Nokia will provide the hardware while Microsoft will bring the software including the Windows Mobile OS, Xbox Live, and Office. Check out the video below which features Nokia CEO Elop and Microsof CEO Balmer.
Via TC
Nokia also announced a new corporate structure to power this partnership. Here’s an excerpt from the press release:
New company structure
As of April 1, Nokia will have a new company structure, which features two distinct business units: Smart Devices and Mobile Phones. They will focus on Nokia’s key business areas: high-end smartphones and mass-market mobile phones. Each unit will have profit-and-loss responsibility and end-to-end accountability for the full consumer experience, including product development, product management and product marketing.Smart Devices will be responsible for building Nokia’s leadership in smartphones and will be led by Jo Harlow. The following sub-units now in Mobile Solutions will move under Smart Devices:
- Symbian Smartphones
- MeeGo Computers
- Strategic Business OperationsTo support the planned new partnership with Microsoft, Smart Devices will be responsible for creating a winning Windows Phone portfolio.
Mobile Phones will drive Nokia’s “web for the next billion” strategy. Mobile Phones will leverage its innovation and strength in growth markets to connect the next billion people and bring them affordable access to the Internet and applications. The Mobile Phones unit will be led by Mary McDowell.
I’m excited to see the next wave of phones that Nokia will ship with Windows OS. 
I’m not saying I’m going to buy just yet but I’m definitely eager to find out what they have to offer.
