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 if it would be enough to win over the Apple crowd, though."
Why the Apple crowd and not the Android one? It's easier for an Android user to migrate to W8 with all the good hardware and wireless of the Nokia phone than for an Apple user to migrate to something else. Usually an iOS user is a Mac user. For an iOS user would be the end of synchronizing devices.
"Nokia has scored a first by introducing it in a product. Which begs the question, who's going to claim the IP for it and sue who for violating their patent?"
Good question. However, if someone claims something with suing intention it would be too obvious.
I have been waiting for wireless charging capability for a long, long time.
Samsung lost in Germany, won in Japan and had a split decision in Korea. All on the same patent dispute. In the United States, Apple won and is trying to an Samsung products. It may succeed but that won't keep Samsung out of the US market. In the meantime, neither company stands a chance of pursuing crazy patent action in the market that's now projected to overtake the US as the largest for smartphones in the near future: China.
Where does that leave the Apple victory over Samsung in the United States? Stateside. That's where. Analysts crow about how Apple is going to blunt Samsung's growth in smartphones as a result of this ruling. It will probably do so in the U.S. but it won't in other parts of the world. That's what all the other rulings indicate.
The global market is exactly that, a global market. We need to take off our blinders in the West. Judges won't decide this competition; consumers will.
The wireless charger is fascinating as a concept. I wonder if it would be enough to win over the Apple crowd, though. It's an innovative idea that has been around for a while and Nokia has scored a first by introducing it in a product. Which begs the question, who's going to claim the IP for it and sue who for violating their patent?
What I like the most about the Lumia 920 is that it is wireless with a charging base. I have been wanting for a manufacturer to come up with this for such a long time. I hate cables in a way you can't imagine.
Yes, of course there are variations from country to country. I wouldn't be sure if being a native or foreign company has some important weight in these cases. It shouldn't, but we all know many things that shouldn't be, and they are, right?
I don't know if you've seen the news where researchers have been able to encode text within genetic sequences. DNA is supposed to be fairly stable, and might be a good way to encode programs. So, maybe they will have a GMO patent arrangement. And we'll be eating corn made out of the Apple operating system.
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.
Archived Dialogues
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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