Nokia And Microsoft Join Forces Against Google And Apple For Mobile Dominance

February 11, 2011 Nokia and Microsoft announced they would form a “long-term strategic alliance” to challenge the Apple and Google hegemony in the mobile space. At a news conference this morning, Nokia President and CEO Stephen Elop, and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer laid out their new high-level strategy, complete with the usual buzzwords like “innovation” and “ecosystem”.

Stephen Elop said, "Today I’m excited to announce that Nokia and Microsft intend to enter into a strategic alliance, subject to the completion of a definitive agreement."

"Together we have the opportunity to disrupt the current trajectory in the battle of ecosystems. Our long-term strategic alliance will build a global ecosystem that creates opportunities beyond anything that currently exists. Together, we will deliver great mobile products."

[Steve Ballmer] "The Windows Phone ecosystem should ensure more innovation in the market, more choice for consumers, and better opportunites for developers and for service providers to showcase the enhancements and improvements that they’re making through their networks."