The assumption is that people who have purchased Nokia phones in the past will continue to purchase Nokia phones with Microsoft software on them.<p>Marketing will sell a few. Brand loyalty a few more... but if MS fails to deliver compelling software or Nokia fails to deliver compelling hardware, they aren't the third horse in the iOS / Android race. They are nothing.<p>Combining two companies that have failed to prove themselves in the smartphone market doesn't make a great smartphone.
Microsoft really needs this to work. As mobile phones get more powerful, they have the potential to replace desktop and laptop computers. Imagine using a dock to use a full monitor, keyboard, and mouse on your mobile phone. Why would most people then need a Windows computers? They wouldn't.
I don't think Elop was speaking about actual money changing hands when he spoke of "monetary value".<p>Check the Reuters news report:
<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/13/us-mobile-fair-nokia-money-idUSTRE71C2B220110213" rel="nofollow">http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/13/us-mobile-fair-nok...</a>