So much for terse denials. Former world number one mobile maker Nokia, which sold its device making unit to Microsoft last year, is indeed intending to get back into the mobile game next year — when a Microsoft contract clause that currently prevents it from putting its brand name on handsets lapses.
Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri told Germany’s Manager Magazin the company intends to design and license handsets next year, and will “look for suitable partners” (via Reuters). “We would simply design them and then make the brand name available to license,” he added.
This is not in the least surprising. Even as it looks to slough off its Here maps business, Nokia has been keeping its hand in the mobile business, designing and selling an Android tablet in China, and launching its own Android launcher last summer.
