Microsoft ditches Nokia branding on Lumia devices
The company has decided to drop the Nokia name, but will keep the Lumia branding


Microsoft is to remove the 'Nokia' name from Lumia devices as it takes steps to pretend the smartphone manufacturer never existed.
Although Nokia is now owned by Microsoft, it has managed to keep its name stamped on devices, despite becoming part of the PC manufacturer in April for the princely sum of 4.5 billion.
However, Nokia's networks business, navigation offerings and patent portfolio wasn't bought by Microsoft and will continue to use the Nokia branding.
The over-arching department that owns Nokia is now called Microsoft Mobile and is attempting to focus on providing mobile devices and services to try and compete with Apple.
The announcement was made on Nokia France's Facebook page, swiftly followed by a post on its Twitter account saying the page would soon be changing to 'Microsoft Lumia'.
Microsoft then went on to confirm to tech site The Verge that it would be changing the branding worldwide.
The Nokia/Microsoft acquisition was announced back in September 2013 and in April, it made some significant changes to the original deal, in an attempt to woo Chinese authorities.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Brad Smith, general counsel and executive vice president of legal and corporate affairs at Microsoft, wrote in a blog post at the time: "We've adjusted this agreement so the 21 employees in China working on mobile phones will join Microsoft and continue their work."
Another change made was that Microsoft would take over Nokia's online assets. Smith continued: "Our two companies have agreed that Microsoft will manage the nokia.com domain and social media sites for the benefit of both companies and our customers for up to a year."

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.
Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.
As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.
-
Bigger salaries, more burnout: Is the CISO role in crisis?
In-depth CISOs are more stressed than ever before – but why is this and what can be done?
By Kate O'Flaherty Published
-
Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25
News Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
Nokia to cut 14,000 jobs as demand for telecoms equipment plummets
News Nokia said the move could deliver up to $1.37 billion in cost savings
By Ross Kelly Published
-
Nokia to cut 10,000 jobs in bid to boost R&D funds
News The Finnish telecoms giant plans to save €600m over the next two years to reinvest into emerging technologies
By Bobby Hellard Published
-
Nokia acquires Comptel to leverage software business
News Mobile infrastructure firm will offer its customers better analytics capabilities
By Clare Hopping Published
-
Curtain falls on Nokia's smartphones
In-depth Microsoft is dropping the Nokia brand from its Windows smartphones. It is the end of an era
By Stephen Pritchard Published
-
Microsoft job cuts: 18,000 workers will be gone by June 2015
News Nokia staff to make up the brunt of those axed
By Khidr Suleman Published
-
Microsoft makes changes to Nokia acquisition deal
News Nokia to be rebranded as Microsoft Mobile, according to memo
By Caroline Donnelly Published
-
Nokia bags Chinese approval for Microsoft phone deal
News Finnish phone maker wins regulatory approval to sell off its phone business
By Kyle Nazario Published
-
Nokia rumoured to be mulling Juniper Networks purchase
News Tie-up could strengthen Finnish company's US business
By ITPro Published