Seems like it could be a great move, but it raises some questions. Given Microsoft's perspective, they know they need to increase Windows Phone share. The iPhone is on its way to become a niche device, so I doubt they would look to Apple and try to turn Microsoft+Nokia into the one-stop-shop for Windows Phone devices like I've seen speculated in many places. That's too big of a gamble. Instead, I think they'd model after Android, which now has 80% of the market, and continue strong on the OEM route, with Nokia-based devices just acting as a leader. The way I see it, this aligns much better with what's worked historically for Microsoft and what shareholders expect, especially given the Surface blunder. At least I hope so.<p>The problem is that Samsung, HTC and LG are all focused on Android, and Microsoft needs to change that. Can the Nokia buy help with that? I wonder. What would stop Microsoft from using Nokia's patents aggressively (rather than defensively) to "motivate" the other phone manufacturers to produce, market and license more Windows Phone devices, or face additional lawsuits against their majority-Android lines? Nokia alone didn't have the incentive to push to increase WP share outside their lines before, and Microsoft appears to already have a strong patent portfolio for mobile (source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone_wars" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone_wars</a>). If so, this deal could be especially sweet for Microsoft, and also could benefit Nokia too, since it would retain premium WP status when a true third ecosystem develops. Thoughts?