Microsoft will Phase out iconic Nokia Brand Name

[99vw]

 

Microsoft closed its deal to acquire the mobile and services division of Nokia last fall, and it now appears ready to put Nokia’s iconic mobile brand name out to pasture.

 

The phase-out of the name is spelled out in the terms and conditions in Microsoft’s $7.2 billion deal to acquire Nokia, announced in September 2013. As we reported in late April, Microsoft’s mobile division will now be called Microsoft Mobile.

http://venturebeat.com/2014/06/13/brand-death-microsoft-will-phase-out-iconic-nokia-brand-name/

 

And who says you can't kill a Nokia.

[BonBon Scott]

I blame @Barnacules

[Victorious Secret]

http://venturebeat.com/2014/06/13/brand-death-microsoft-will-phase-out-iconic-nokia-brand-name/

 

And who says you can't kill a Nokia.

 

 

Does MS really want Nokia fans to perform a siege on their HQ? 

[Geekazoid]

 

Does MS really want Nokia fans to perform a siege on their HQ?

Yes, they told me yesterday. (JK)

[TheGosuStandard]

Microsoft mobile doesn't even sound cool...

[Snickerzz]

Microsoft mobile doesn't even sound cool...

sounds like a wheelchair/assisted living company

[Sauron]

This is kind of old news, but if it's not on the forum already it's alright.

 

I'm sad that nokia won't exist anymore, but frankly I was more tied to the quality of their products that to the brand itself. If MS can bring it back (it's the same staff after all) I guess it's fine with me. Windows phone is getting better, hopefully it becomes a serious competitor of android and they start making affordable but durable phones again.

[The_Strict_Nein]

Why?

 

Just...why?

 

Everyone on the goddam planet knows Nokia phones.

 

Everyone. I would buy a Nokia because I knew I would be getting a overbuilt if not amazingly feature rich phone.

 

I'm not interested in buying a Windows Phone anymore. I'll be moving to Android on my next upgrade

[Maxibonbits]

The average consumer probably doesn't even know Nokia has a smart phone, they just want the iPhone or the Android.

 

Calling it a "Windows Phone" or something will probably help Microsoft sell more phones.

[Askew]

It will soon be called 'MM' or 'MSM' by everyone.

[99vw]

The average consumer probably doesn't even know Nokia has a smart phone, they just want the iPhone or the Android.

 

Calling it a "Windows Phone" or something will probably help Microsoft sell more phones.

 

Actually Nokia still has a very strong presence in other parts of the world.

[MbV93]

I don't think this is a good idea.

[flibberdipper]

No I kinda like Nokia a little bit, even if the are Windows Phone only...

[StingBull]

This is a very bad decision. Why? Because every corner of the earth has heard of the name Nokia and know that they make phones. Not as many people know the name Microsoft and even if they know the name they don't know them as a phone manufacturer.

[Guest Kloaked]

The people making decisions like these in huge companies need to be fired.

[AnnoyedShelf]

I have a feeling this will have a huge blowback on Microsoft.

[Misanthrope]

Seems like it was only yesteday that Nokia was boasting how accepting Android would be like pissing on themselves for warmth during winter, now they're basically fucking gone with this. Goes to show you that no matter how high you reach you can be brought down.

[Nineshadow]

Microsoft's been very bad at advertising their Windows phones(Nokias)...

[Syntaxvgm]

Microsoft needs to gtfo the phone business and focus on businesses again imho. 

[ajoy39]

Nokia's brand name is hardly icon, it's associated with a phone that hasn't been made in half a decade and shitty phones. 

[minimalist]

The only reason I would ever buy a "Microsoft" phone is because it was Nokia.  Nokia was the jam when I was a teenager.  They've always created quality product.  No clue why Microsoft would want to do away with their name.  That's just dumb.

[ShogunZ]

Their ''Microsoft'' tablets didn't sell well, why do they think otherwise now?

[Mooshi]

This is a very bad decision. Why? Because every corner of the earth has heard of the name Nokia and know that they make phones. Not as many people know the name Microsoft and even if they know the name they don't know them as a phone manufacturer.

 

Every corner also knows the name "Blackberry" as well, but we know how well this turned out. Think of the current console war. Do you hear Nintendo Vs Sony Vs Microsoft? No. You hear Xbone vs PS4 with many "professional" reviews taking cheap jabs at Nintendo or forgetting they exist. Nokia was in that same position. They had great fame in the past, but towards the end, it was iPhone vs Samsung Galaxy. Microsoft has some pretty terrible marketing people as evident with the Xbone's kinect, but I feel even they know the Nokia name doesn't mean much anymore. Outside of nostalgia for their old phones, Nokia doesn't make anything worth mentioning. 

 

Edit: Just reading the entire thread backs up my claim that no one really cares about Nokia outside of pure nostalgia.

[GoodBytes]

Nokia name will still exists. Microsoft bought the phone division of Nokia, not the entire company, or the name.

The only name they bought from Nokia is Lumia.

Microsoft CAN rent the name the Nokia name if they want, to keep the Nokia name on the phone, but that would be Microsoft marketing decision, where if they see or not any value in Nokia branding.

[StingBull]

Every corner also knows the name "Blackberry" as well, but we know how well this turned out. Think of the current console war. Do you hear Nintendo Vs Sony Vs Microsoft? No. You hear Xbone vs PS4 with many "professional" reviews taking cheap jabs at Nintendo or forgetting they exist. Nokia was in that same position. They had great fame in the past, but towards the end, it was iPhone vs Samsung Galaxy. Microsoft has some pretty terrible marketing people as evident with the Xbone's kinect, but I feel even they know the Nokia name doesn't mean much anymore. Outside of nostalgia for their old phones, Nokia doesn't make anything worth mentioning. 

 

Edit: Just reading the entire thread backs up my claim that no one really cares about Nokia outside of pure nostalgia.

 

Starting fresh seems like a good idea but it is not. And what's more is they are not starting fresh. Because people know the Microsoft name. They don't know them as phone makers though, people know them as the "Windows company". It will be hard to convince people to even give them a chance in other fields.

 

It is like if Nintendo started making refrigerators, nobody would take that seriously. Nobody would buy a Nintendo refrigerator when there are so many already well established refrigerator makers out there.

 

It is better to have a name that is recognized in the field, even if it is a damaged name, the damage can be fixed. Establishing a new name in an already established field is harder.

 

The idea that Nokia is destined to fail is ridiculous. Had Nokia get in on the Android field even as late as 2 years ago they would be at least at the level of HTC today. I'm not going to get into why Nokia is not winning with Windows Phone OS, that's a long topic.

 

Edit: You would be surprised how less established the Blackberry name is. Their reputation was a bubble that just popped. Nokia's reputation is much deep-rooted. And Nokia still protects a little bit of their reputation by producing quality hardware.