There are a number of things to consider when talking about Nokia and the smartphone industry. Arguably, they were the ones that started it all, and the name still commands a certain respect in markets and in the industry. But practically, they are out of the mobile handset game, selling that part of their business to Microsoft. The rumors that they will come out with another smartphone just will not seem to die down though, so Nokia has seen it fit to clear up the issue.
First things first, what Microsoft decides to do with the brand is a conundrum on its own, so let’s not go there. Nokia has clarified that the only way the iconic name will ever be plastered on a smartphone device is via licensing of their technology and name to a partner manufacturer – very much like what they did with the Nokia N1 Android tablet device. For better or for worse, they will not be manufacturing any smartphone device by themselves any time soon. That much is clear.
On the licensing side, things are a bit more “complicated”, as the company termed it in their public statement. They are open to licensing products, provided they find a company that manufacture the device to their needs. The problem is, they do have a deal with Microsoft that they will not be licensing any smartphone devices any time before Q4 of 2016.
So there you have it folks. Any hope that we will be getting a new Nokia device will have to wait until 2016 or 2017 at the very least. And we figure Microsoft has to release a new flagship device soon to revive its flagging smartphone business – that is, if they still want to.
SOURCE: Nokia
