- Jan 5, 2011
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We have some shocking news for you guys. Insider sources from the WSS have just leaked that negotiations have been finalized for the acquisition of HTC by Microsoft. Earlier rumors suggested that the meetings the two companies have been engaging in lately were simply plans to introduce a new HTC Windows 8 phone in the 4th Quarter of this year. Apparently, their planned partnership went even deeper than that. Court documents indicate that late Friday, both companies filed a request to have the acquisition verified by the FCC and the U.S. Department of Justice. There don't appear to be any regulatory hurdles barring this merger, since there is no danger of monopolistic abuse.
Still, if this merger does go through, you can bet that Android development at HTC will stop immediately, and all of their phones will become Windows phones. This could really change the Android landscape. Although HTC has struggled lately, they are still one of the top tier Android OEMs. At first glance, you would think this could potentially endanger Microsoft's partnership with Nokia, but that is not necessarily the case. By acquiring HTC, Microsoft would control all of their patents, and could then share this portfolio freely with Nokia. Furthermore, there would be nothing to stop them from simply shuttering HTC, leaving less competition for Nokia.
One thing is for sure, the smartphone game may have just changed.
Source: WSS News Network
