As a direct consequence of Microsoft's 2013 acquisition of the Finnish
group's mobile devices division, the Nokia name will soon be phased out
and replaced by Microsoft Lumia, according to The Verge. The new name
echoes that of Nokia's Windows Phone device range sold since 2011.
Nokia
France is among the first local divisions preparing to transition its
social media accounts to the new name. "We are about to become Microsoft
Lumia," the company announced to its followers on Facebook. The
Nokia name will not disappear entirely, as the original Finnish company
still exists as Nokia Networks, which focuses on networking, mapping and
telecommunications infrastructure. Nonetheless, the disappearance of
Nokia as a phone brand marks the end of an era.
The Finnish
manufacturer was among the leading pioneers in the mobile phone
industry, launching several models as early as the 1980s. More
importantly, Nokia was also the world's top-selling mobile phone brand
for around 15 years before being overtaken by Samsung in 2012. Several
Nokia phones released over this period were so popular that they are
still regarded as symbols of their time (3310, 8110, etc.). But the
brand quickly fell behind in the smartphone market led by Apple and
Samsung.
