Last Saturday, right after the news that a jury had determined that 25 Samsung cellphones and three tablet models infringed on Apple patents, a friend asked me if I thought Apple would further benefit from this verdict, or if Samsung would see this as a chance to become a real innovator. I told her my immediate thoughts were how much this outcome would benefit Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT). I believe that thanks in part to this verdict, Nokia will return to its former self sooner rather than later. My friend was surprised.
At this point, it's no secret this verdict will definitely affect tablet and smartphone designs. We may finally see some real innovation from Samsung. We can also expect a dramatic change in the future of other mobile device manufacturers, and maybe a turn around -- I am thinking Nokia here -- as EBN editor in chief, Bolaji Ojo, suggested in Apple-Samsung: Can't We All Just Get Along?
Yes, we all wish that they all could get along, but Apple and Samsung keep on fighting in different corners of the world. Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, Finland is beginning to see a new wave of hope for local hero Nokia, as the Finnish company showed a frenetic growth in the Helsinki Stock Exchange and a strong opening on Wall Street. Indeed, Monday was a day of good news.
In fact, Nordea Markets research analyst Sami Sarkamies had also said that the Finnish manufacturer and Microsoft could be the main beneficiaries from the Apple vs. Samsung outcome, so I'm more optimistic about Nokia's comeback. Then I read that earlier this week, after Samsung became considerably less valuable in the market, MoneyNews reported that shares in Nokia were 10.2 percent higher and Microsoft's European-listed shares were 1.6 percent higher.
All these reports support my initial thoughts. I strongly believe that the patent dispute between Apple and Samsung could boost Nokia and Microsoft's mobile device sales in unexpected ways. This decision comes right before Nokia World, September 5 through 6 in Helsinki, Finland, where Nokia is expected to announce its first tablet. This event -- this year is invitation-only -- has been timed to complement the Nokia and Microsoft press conference already scheduled for September 5, where the Windows Phone 8 is expected to be introduced as well as Nokia phones that will run the Microsoft smartphone platform. It's worth mentioning that Nokia World's date was changed from the initial September 25. This makes me think that the company wanted to make sure its newest devices were announced right before Apple's.
I am also pretty confident that the latest chain of events may translate into some Android users choosing to migrate to Nokia or Microsoft products in search of a more stable and reliable situation -- at least until Samsung's destiny becomes more clear. I have seen Nokia go up, down, and stay afloat, but never close to dying. If this is an opportunity, Nokia will take advantage of it.
There's a good chance that Nokia's stocks and sales may get an even more radical boost throughout the end of the year thanks to Apple's win against Samsung. There is always hope when there is still life, and Nokia may rise again.
I wonder in what position the result of the lawsuit puts the die hard Samsung fans. Will it have an impact on the resale of the cellphones? Will it also effect the sales of S3?
"I suspect Microsoft has learned something by now, wouldn't you agree?"
They should have learned to wear masks by now, yes. Just imagine if you were a Microsoft employee and somebody recognized you at the grocery store. You'd have to leave all your groceries behind as you ran for your car.
We all know you have been secretly cheering Nokia from the sidelines for ages now.
I like Nokia too and felt the current correction in 2012 was massively over-done in the stock[Finally Market agreed by pushing the stock up by over 50% in last two months].
This feels like a battle which is all set to go down to the wire and be decided in two places-The Court-rooms and in the Market-place.
I also feel like this Judgement is gonna spur the race for more and more Patent accumulation for defensive purposes.What a waste of valuable resources!!!
The reaction that the market has given[By pushing up the value of Nokia ,Apple and Microsoft shares];clearly shows the market expects these companies to do well.
But I was wondering more about Google(particularly what will their reaction be)?
Lets face the facts;by Attacking Samsung;what Apple really did was attack Google's Android OS.
I have a feeling that this will force Google to file counter-suits on Apple & also lead to something else-Bringing more of the Android OS Development Cycle back in-house.
The effect on Innovation? Very,very Significant as Android OS Development Cycles start falling in line with those of Apple and Microsoft.
I doubt many Open Source enthusiasts will take this development lightly.
But its an inevitable transistion(IMHO);Google is just bowing to the inevitable.
Most Open Source enthusiasts can anyways go with LiMo or Mozilla's new Mobile OS.So Android can go head to head with Apple,Microsoft and Symbian on the same terms.
Yes, we don't need to be a Microsoft or Nokia fan to see what can possibly happen here out of this patent war mess. :)
At some point Apple lawyers held up a Nokia Lumia as an example of a product that does not copy Apple. This has to be an incentive for Nokia to keep on designing devices that stand out from the mobile device crowd, I believe.
I have also tried to remember if I even saw a Nokia that could have been taken by an iPhone, and I couldn't come up with anything.
I have also thought that most likely many people who have bought a Samsung secretly wanted an iPhone, but the price of a Samsung was more attractive.
And yes, Nokia has that capacity to recovery from difficulties. That's another reason why now it seems to be the right time to do it so.
Hi Susan: This really raised my awareness of the potential for these two companies and the verdict does seem to be a turning point. Until recently, Windows/Nokia didn't seem to be resonating with market-watchers and analysts. Although I am not a Microsoft fan (Windows 7 is driving me crazy...just a different organization than XP) I am rooting for Nokia. They have always been resilient and I think the market really needs a wide choice in smartphones and tablets
That experience reminds me when I wrote about Nokia Blue Screen, at the beginning of the partnership. I suspect Microsoft has learned something by now, wouldn't you agree?
I also believe that Apple has strengthen its position. However, there is a slide of consumers in the mobile device pie chart that will never consume Apple products, for one reason or another. Those are the one I am thinking as the best candidates at this given moment for the Nokia W8 upcoming devices.
"But with Microsoft itself now trying to establish itself as a product player ( Surface) , Nokia has to carefully plan its product strategy."
This is also interesting, because Nokia has been working on its first tablet, too. See: Here.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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