Δευτέρα 30 Σεπτεμβρίου 2013

NAVIGON Europe Maps Coverage Q3/2013

Map coverage (NAVIGON Europe Release Q3 2013 (Latest Map Guarantee))

Country
Coverage as a % of the population
Points of Interest (POI)

Albania  ~95% (26.375km)  10.999 POIs in 49 categories 
Austria  ~99% (210.786km)  100.571 POIs in 75 categories 
Belarus  5% of road network (4.347km)  153 POIs in 13 categories 
Belgium  ~99% (116.843km)  108.848 POIs in 72 categories 
Bosnia-Herzegovina  ~99% (56.334km)  28.784 POIs in 64 categories 
British Isle (GB & Northern Ireland & Isle of Man)  ~99% (505.679km)  624.839 POIs in 76 categories 
Bulgaria  ~99% (99.741km)  48.117 POIs in 70 categories 
Croatia  ~99% (82.692km)  51.604 POIs in 72 categories 
Czech Republic  ~99% (229.911km)  123.502 POIs in 71 categories 
Denmark  ~99% (125.602km)  91.765 POIs in 68 categories 
Estonia  ~99% (81.614km)  24.618 POIs in 69 categories 
Finland  ~99% (615.700km)  129.354 POIs in 74 categories 
France (incl. Andorra & Monaco)  ~99% (1.457.080km)  1.287.877 POIs in 73 categories 
FYROM  ~91% of total road network (31.179km)  3.749 POIs in 51 categories 
Germany  ~99% (1.117.612km)  612.213 POIs in 74 categories 
Greece  ~99% (354.711km)  179.020 POIs in 72 categories 
Hungary  ~99% (187.828km)  124.833 POIs in 72 categories 
Iceland  ~99% (31.193km)  4.176 POIs in 58 categories 
Italy (incl. Vatican & San Marino)  ~99% (754.356km)  359.335 POIs in 69 categories 
Latvia  ~99% (101.290km)  21.067 POIs in 66 categories 
Lithuania  ~99% (85.193km)  16.664 POIs in 66 categories 
Luxembourg  ~99% (8.556km)  5.495 POIs in 61 categories 
Malta  ~99% (2.563km)  788 POIs in 40 categories 
Moldova  ~60% of total road network (3.747km)  169 POIs in 5 categories 
Montenegro  ~99% (9.266km)  3.441 POIs in 51 categories 
Netherlands  ~99% (161.401km)  137.142 POIs in 73 categories 
Norway  ~99% (217.976km)  108.638 POIs in 69 categories 
Poland  ~99% (685.923km)  265.603 POIs in 75 categories 
Portugal  ~99% (265.767km)  109.326 POIs in 72 categories 
Republic of Ireland  ~99% (102.878km)  59.251 POIs in 66 categories 
Romania  ~99% (165.730km)  189.167 POIs in 73 categories 
Serbia (incl. Kosovo)  ~99% (60.314km)  32.919 POIs in 66 categories 
Slovakia  ~99% (91.570km)  76.939 POIs in 71 categories 
Slovenia  ~99% (71.017km)  43.239 POIs in 67 categories 
Spain (incl. Gibraltar)  ~99% (963.624km)  384.622 POIs in 75 categories 
Sweden  ~99% (547.230km)  177.700 POIs in 71 categories 
Switzerland (incl. Liechtenstein)  ~99% (129.808km)  106.067 POIs in 71 categories 
Ukraine  ~99% (486.213km)  292.213 POIs in 73 categories 

Τετάρτη 25 Σεπτεμβρίου 2013

Shipments of consumer M2M devices will reach 13.8 million in 2017

According to a new research report from Berg Insight, shipments of consumer M2M devices with cellular connectivity reached 5.3 million worldwide in 2012. In the next five years, shipments are forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.1 percent to reach 13.8 million devices in 2017. This relatively new breed of connected devices – neither classified as handsets, PCs, tablets nor traditional M2M devices – have strong growth potential. Today, e-readers and PNDs are the most common consumer M2M devices already shipping in millions. The consumer device market is changing rapidly and dedicated devices are facing fierce competition from multipurpose devices such as smartphones and tablets. Introducing wireless connectivity is one strategy to meet this threat and new connected products such as the Galaxy camera range from Samsung as well as smaller scale success stories such as the PocketFinder from Location Based Technologies show the market potential for cellular connected consumer devices. Emerging device categories such as personal tracking, wearable technology and digital cameras are well suited for embedded cellular connectivity and have high growth potential in the coming years. Berg Insight predicts that by 2017, smart watches will be the most sold consumer M2M device category before personal tracking devices, accounting for 23 percent and 17 percent respectively of total annual shipments. An increasing share of all content and services are delivered through the cloud and cellular connectivity gives the freedom of being connected everywhere. “There are already over 15 million consumer M2M devices in use worldwide. Business innovation from device vendors, content service providers and telecom operators is now necessary in order to turn M2M consumer devices into a mainstream success” says Johan Svanberg, Senior Analyst at Berg Insight. The 3G connected Kindle e-reader from Amazon is the most sold consumer M2M device to date. “A seamless integrated offering without any complicated subscription models has been key to the success”, continues Mr Svanberg. Mobile data plans which let users buy a bucket of data to share across several devices as well as pay-per-use models are other promising business models for consumer M2M devices. “It is not always possible to hide the cost of data such as in the case of the Kindle, but the relationship between the benefits and costs need to be both clear and fair in order for users to be willing to pay extra for wireless data”, concludes Mr Svanberg.

[via]


*M2M = Machine to Machine

Δευτέρα 23 Σεπτεμβρίου 2013

Augmented reality sat-nav tried out at Berlin's IFA trade show



The BBC's technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones tries out a sat-nav which is projected onto a car's windscreen.

Pioneer's Masaya 'Matt' Hashida claims that eye movement is reduced with his company's Navgate system, which has been demonstrated at Berlin's IFA trade show.

[via]

Σάββατο 21 Σεπτεμβρίου 2013

TopoNavigator 6 PC version 6.1.0


 

WMS_Downloader

Αναβάθμιση 6.1.0


ΒΕΛΤΙΩΣΕΙΣ
1. Καθώς η 6.1.0 είναι η πρώτη αναβάθμιση που περιέχει νεώτερα δεδομένα, εγκαινιάζεται μια πολύ εξυπηρετική υπηρεσία: η επικαιροποίηση των χαρτών για Garmin GPS θα γίνεται ΜΟΝΟ στις περιοχές που έχουν αλλαγές. Η υπηρεσία αυτή, που είναι προεπιλεγμένη, εξοικονομεί πολύ μεγάλο χρόνο και πόρους. Από τις Ρυθμίσεις, ο χρήστης μπορεί ωστόσο να επιλέξει την επικαιροποίηση ολόκληρου του χάρτη. (Έχουν γίνει πολλές αλλαγές στα δεδομένα οπότε θα ενεργοποιηθεί από την επόμενη αναβάθμιση)
2. Καλύτερος και συνεκτικότερος τρόπος οργάνωσης των συμβόλων γραμμών, διαδρομών, πολυγώνων και Αγαπημένων, με αποτέλεσμα την καλύτερη αξιοποίηση των δυνατοτήτων της εφαρμογής.
3. Συνεκτικότερη και σταθερότερη δομή για τις λειτουργίες της Αναίρεσης (Undo) και Επανάληψης (Redo)
4. Ο καταγεγραμμένος χρόνος των Wyapoints μεταφέρεται πλέον από αρχεία KML, GPX (πχ. όλα τα νεώτερα Garmin), παλιότερα Garmin (πχ., σειρά 60) και αποθηκεύεται τόσο στο πρωτόκολλο όσο και στα KML και GPX που εξάγονται από την εφαρμογή.
5. Νέες μέθοδοι μετακίνησης και αλλαγής διαστάσεων στη γεωαναφορά, με δεξί κλικ Μετακίνηση γεωαναφερόμενης εικόνας και Διαστάσεις γεωαναφερόμενης εικόνας, έχοντας πατημένο το κουμπί με το βελάκι στην εργαλειοθήκη Geo. Παρέχεται αναίρεση.
6. Τα κουμπιά Διαγραφή, Διαγραφή όλων, Πλοήγηση και οι εντολές Επικέντρωση και επεξεργασία συμβόλου στον πίνακα των Αγαπημένων μεταφέρθηκαν σε υπομενού στο δεξί κλικ στις εγγραφές του ίδιου πίνακα.
7. Προστέθηκε η δυνατότητα αυτόματης δημιουργίας αντιγράφων ασφαλείας κατά την αποθήκευση ενός αρχείου TML/TVP. Η σχετική επιλογή βρίσκεται στην ενότητα Φάκελοι των Ρυθμίσεων. Η Ρύθμιση είναι προεπιλεγμένη.
8. Στον πίνακα αρχείων TML/TVP, ενεργοποίηση της λειτουργίας AllRecs/Selected που επιτρέπει να απεικονίζονται στον πίνακα δεδομένων μόνο οι επιλεγμένες από τις εγγραφές ενός αρχείου. Η λειτουργία ήταν διαθέσιμη μέχρι τώρα μόνο για τα διανυσματικά αρχεία GIS (δηλ. μόνο στην έκδοση GIS) και εξυπηρετούσε κυρίως σε αρχεία με πολλές 100δες ή 1000δες εγγραφές. Τώρα η διευκόλυνση αυτή επεκτείνεται και στην έκδοση ΗΟΜΕ, βοηθώντας στην επεξεργασία αρχείων πολλών εγγραφών.
9. Δυνατότητα αντιστροφής μιας Διαδρομής. Η κατεύθυνση μιας Διαδρομής επισημαίνεται με βελάκια πάνω σε κάθε τόξο.
10. Δυνατότητα διαγραφής σημείου γραμμής/σημείου πολυγώνου από τον πίνακα της φόρμας Ιδιοτήτων γραμμής/πολυγώνου (που μέχρι τώρα ήταν διαθέσιμο μόνο για τις Διαδρομές).
11. Αναίρεση προσάρτησης πολυγώνου.
12. Αναίρεση διάτμησης πολυγώνου
13. Στην αποθήκευση δεδομένων σε μορφή αρχείου κειμένου με διαχωριστή, δυνατότητα καθορισμού του delimiter (διατίθενται οι έξι συνηθέστεροι διαχωριστές).
14. Βελτίωση της ταχύτητας στον υπολογισμό των χαρτών Κτηματολογίου που βρίσκονται μέσα στην καθορισμένη ακτίνα από τον άξονα επιλεγμένης γραμμής.
15. Δυνατότητα επιλογής του κριτηρίου ιεράρχησης κατά την δημιουργια του πίνακα αποτελεσμάτων μιας εύρεσης. Διατίθενται 3 τρόποι ιεράρχησης:
      1. ιεράρχηση με βάση τον τύπο δεδομένων και την κατηγορία, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη και το προφίλ χρήστη.
      2. ιεράρχηση με βάση την απόσταση από το κέντρο του χάρτη,
      3. ιεράρχηση με αλφαβητική σειρά
Απεικόνιση της απόστασης της κάθε εύρεσης από το κέντρο του χάρτη στην ιπτάμενη πινακίδα, ενόσω το ποντίκι βρίσκεται πάνω από μία εγγραφή.
16. Δεκάδες βελτιώσεις σε δυσλειτουργίες και μικροατέλειες
 
ΔΕΔΟΜΕΝΑ
Περισσότερα από 31.500 καινούρια τόξα.
Μεγάλες προσθήκες στην Κρήτη.
Καινούργια μονοπάτια στην Κίμωλο (από τον Ε.Π.Ο.Σ. Φυλής).
Μικρές διορθώσεις σε διάφορες περιοχές (Εύβοια, Στερεά Ελλάδα, Πελοπόννησο).




TopoNavigator AnaDigit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Πέμπτη 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2013

NAVIGON Navigation Apps Now Optimized for iOS 7

342

On the heels of the availability of iOS 7, we just released a new version of the popular NAVIGON navigation app that is optimized for the new iPhone OS. The free update 2.6 is now available in the App Store and includes several design adaptions as well as other iOS 7-specific features, such as the integration of back swipe functionality in the settings and a parallax effect in the main menu, among others.
An update with iOS 7 optimizations for our Garmin StreetPilot Onboard apps will follow shortly.
Garmin’s StreetPilot Onboard and NAVIGON apps provide premium turn-by-turn navigation for smartphones, helping drivers find their way and safe time and money. Features include onboard maps, lane guidance, speed limit warnings, real-time traffic and public transit routing, among many others.

Τρίτη 3 Σεπτεμβρίου 2013

Microsoft to acquire Nokiaʼs devices & services business, license Nokiaʼs patents and mapping services



Microsoft to acquire Nokiaʼs devices & services business, license Nokiaʼs patents and mapping services

REDMOND, Washington and ESPOO, Finland – Sept. 3, 2013 – Microsoft Corporation and Nokia Corporation today announced that the Boards of Directors for both companies have decided to enter into a transaction whereby Microsoft will purchase substantially all of Nokiaʼs Devices & Services business, license Nokiaʼs patents, and license and use Nokiaʼs mapping services.


Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will pay EUR 3.79 billion to purchase substantially all of Nokiaʼs Devices & Services business, and EUR 1.65 billion to license Nokiaʼs patents, for a total transaction price of EUR 5.44 billion in cash. Microsoft will draw upon its overseas cash resources to fund the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, subject to approval by Nokiaʼs shareholders, regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.


Building on the partnership with Nokia announced in February 2011 and the increasing success of Nokiaʼs Lumia smartphones, Microsoft aims to accelerate the growth of its share and profit in mobile devices through faster innovation, increased synergies, and unified branding and marketing. For Nokia, this transaction is expected to be significantly accretive to earnings, strengthen its financial position, and provide a solid basis for future investment in its continuing businesses.


“Itʼs a bold step into the future – a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies. Bringing these great teams together will accelerate Microsoftʼs share and profits in phones, and strengthen the overall opportunities for both Microsoft and our partners across our entire family of devices and services,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft chief executive officer. “In addition to their innovation and strength in phones at all price points, Nokia brings proven capability and talent in critical areas such as hardware design and engineering, supply chain and manufacturing management, and hardware sales, marketing and distribution.”


“We are excited and honored to be bringing Nokiaʼs incredible people, technologies and assets into our Microsoft family. Given our long partnership with Nokia and the many key Nokia leaders that are joining Microsoft, we anticipate a smooth transition and great execution,” Ballmer said. “With ongoing share growth and the synergies across marketing, branding and advertising, we expect this acquisition to be accretive to our adjusted earnings per share starting in FY15, and we see significant long-term revenue and profit opportunities for our shareholders.”


“For Nokia, this is an important moment of reinvention and from a position of financial strength, we can build our next chapter,” said Risto Siilasmaa, Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors and, following todayʼs announcement, Nokia Interim CEO. “After a thorough assessment of how to maximize shareholder value, including consideration of a variety of alternatives, we believe this transaction is the best path forward for Nokia and its shareholders. Additionally, the deal offers future opportunities for many Nokia employees as part of a company with the strategy, financial resources and determination to succeed in the mobile space.”


“Building on our successful partnership, we can now bring together the best of Microsoftʼs software engineering with the best of Nokiaʼs product engineering, award-winning design, and global sales, marketing and manufacturing,” said Stephen Elop, who following todayʼs announcement is stepping aside as Nokia President and CEO to become Nokia Executive Vice President of Devices & Services. “With this combination of talented people, we have the opportunity to accelerate the current momentum and cutting-edge innovation of both our smart devices and mobile phone products.”


Nokia has outlined its expected focus upon the closing of the transaction in a separate press release published today.


TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT


Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will acquire substantially all of Nokiaʼs Devices and Services business, including the Mobile Phones and Smart Devices business units as well as an industry-leading design team, operations including all Nokia Devices & Services-related production facilities, Devices & Services-related sales and marketing activities, and related support functions. At closing, approximately 32,000 people are expected to transfer to Microsoft, including 4,700 people in Finland and 18,300 employees directly involved in manufacturing, assembly and packaging of products worldwide. The operations that are planned to be transferred to Microsoft generated an estimated EUR 14.9 billion, or almost 50 percent of Nokiaʼs net sales for the full year 2012.


Microsoft is acquiring Nokiaʼs Smart Devices business unit, including the Lumia brand and products. Lumia handsets have won numerous awards and have grown in sales in each of the last three quarters, with sales reaching 7.4 million units in the second quarter of 2013.


As part of the transaction, Nokia is assigning to Microsoft its long-term patent licensing agreement with Qualcomm, as well as other licensing agreements.


Microsoft is also acquiring Nokiaʼs Mobile Phones business unit, which serves hundreds of millions of customers worldwide, and had sales of 53.7 million units in the second quarter of 2013. Microsoft will acquire the Asha brand and will license the Nokia brand for use with current Nokia mobile phone products. Nokia will continue to own and manage the Nokia brand. This element provides Microsoft with the opportunity to extend its service offerings to a far wider group around the world while allowing Nokiaʼs mobile phones to serve as an on-ramp to Windows Phone.


Nokia will retain its patent portfolio and will grant Microsoft a 10-year license to its patents at the time of the closing. Microsoft will grant Nokia reciprocal rights to use Microsoft patents in its HERE services. In addition, Nokia will grant Microsoft an option to extend this mutual patent agreement in perpetuity.


In addition, Microsoft will become a strategic licensee of the HERE platform, and will separately pay Nokia for a four-year license.


Microsoft will also immediately make available to Nokia EUR 1.5 billion of financing in the form of three EUR 500 million tranches of convertible notes that Microsoft would fund from overseas resources. If Nokia decides to draw down on this financing option, Nokia would pay back these notes to Microsoft from the proceeds of the deal upon closing. The financing is not conditional on the transaction closing.


Microsoft also announced that it has selected Finland as the home for a new data center that will serve Microsoft consumers in Europe. The company said it would invest more than a quarter-billion dollars in capital and operation of the new data center over the next few years, with the potential for further expansion over time.


NOKIA LEADERSHIP CHANGES


Nokia expects that Stephen Elop, Jo Harlow, Juha Putkiranta, Timo Toikkanen, and Chris Weber would transfer to Microsoft at the anticipated closing of the transaction. Nokia has outlined these changes in more detail in a separate release issued today.


EXTRAORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS MEETING


Nokia plans to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting on November 19, 2013. The notice of the meeting and more information on the transaction and its background are planned to be published later this month.


PRESS CONFERENCE


Nokia will host a press conference today, Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 11 a.m. EEST in Dipoli, Espoo (Otakaari 24). Registration will start at 10 a.m., and the doors will open at 10.40 a.m. Due to space constraints, only media who show valid press credentials at the registration will be admitted. Media are encouraged to watch a live webcast of the press conference at: http://press.nokia.com/


INVESTOR CALLS


Microsoft will hold a conference call for investors, financial analysts and news media Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 3:45 p.m. EEST/8:45 a.m. EDT. Interested parties should call toll-free at (888) 459-9165, or for international calls dial +1-773-799-3324. You may also access the call online at http://www.microsoft.com/investor.


Nokia executives will hold an investor call at 3 p.m. EEST today, Tuesday, Sept. 3. A webcast of the conference call will be available at http://investors.nokia.com. Media representatives can view the webcast or listen in at +1 706 634 5012, conference ID 45390451.


MEDIA ENQUIRIES


Nokia
Communications
Tel. +358 7180 34900
Email: press.services@nokia.com
www.nokia.com


Microsoft
Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1 (503) 443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: NOKIA


It should be noted that Nokia and its business are exposed to various risks and uncertainties and certain statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those regarding: A) the planned sale by Nokia of substantially all of Nokiaʼs Devices & Services business, including Smart Devices and Mobile Phones (referred to below as "Sale of the D&S Business") pursuant to a purchase agreement between Nokia and Microsoft (referred to below as “Agreement”); B) the closing of the Sale of the D&S Business; C) obtaining the shareholder approval for the Sale of the D&S Business; D) receiving timely, or at all, necessary regulatory approvals for the Sale of the D&S Business; E) expectations, plans or benefits related to or caused by the Sale of the D&S Business; F) expectations, plans or benefits related to Nokiaʼs strategies, including plans for Nokia with respect to its continuing business areas that will not be divested in connection with the Sale of the D&S Business; E) expectations, plans or benefits related to changes in leadership and operational structure; F) expectations and targets regarding our operational priorities, financial performance or position, results of operations and use of proceeds from the Sale of the D&S Business; and G) statements preceded by "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "foresee," “sees,” "target," "estimate," "designed," "aim", "plans," "intends," “focus,” "will" or similar expressions. These statements are based on management's best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Because they involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from the results that we currently expect. Factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: 1) the inability to close the Sale of the D&S Business in a timely manner, or at all, for instance due to the inability or delays in obtaining the shareholder approval or necessary regulatory approvals for the Sale of the D&S Business, or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement; 2) the potential adverse effect on the sales of our mobile devices, business relationships, operating results and business generally resulting from the announcement of the Sale of the D&S Business or from the terms that we have agreed for the Sale of the D&S Business; 3) any negative effect caused by us entering into the Sale of the D&S Business, as we may forego other competitive alternatives for strategies or partnerships that would benefit our Devices & Services business and if the Sale of the D&S Business is not closed, we may have limited options to continue the Devices & Services business or enter into another transaction on terms favorable to us, or at all; 4) our ability to effectively and smoothly implement planned changes to our leadership and operational structure or maintain an efficient interim governance structure and preserve or hire key personnel; 5) any negative effect from the implementation of the Sale of the D&S Business, which will require significant time, attention and resources of our senior management and others within the company potentially diverting their attention from other aspects of our business; 6) disruption and dissatisfaction among employees caused by the plans and implementation of the Sale of the D&S Business reducing focus and productivity in areas of our business; 7) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to or triggered by the Sale of the D&S Business; 8) any impairments or charges to carrying values of assets or liabilities related to or triggered by the Sale of the D&S Business; 9) potential adverse effect on our business, properties or operations caused by us implementing the Sale of the D&S Business; 10) the initiation or outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that may be instituted against us relating to the Sale of the D&S Business; and, as well as the risk factors specified on pages 12-47 of Nokia's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 under Item 3D. "Risk Factors." and risks outlined in our most recent interim report. Other unknown or unpredictable factors or underlying assumptions subsequently proving to be incorrect could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Nokia does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.


Forward-Looking Statements: Microsoft


This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are any predictions, projections or other statements about future events based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, that the expected financial and other benefits from the Nokia transaction may not be realized, including because of: our inability to close the transaction, or Nokiaʼs inability to repay the financing should it take down the financing and the transaction doesnʼt close; the response to the acquisition by the customers, employees, and strategic and business partners of Nokiaʼs Devices & Services business; the extent to which we achieve anticipated operating efficiencies and cost savings, and anticipated smart device and mobile phone market share targets; the overall growth rates for the smart device and mobile phone markets; ongoing downward pressure on prices for mobile devices; unanticipated restructuring expenses; any restrictions or limitations imposed by regulatory authorities; the impact of Microsoft management and organizational changes resulting from acquisition of Nokiaʼs Devices & Services business; the ability to retain key Nokia personnel; our effectiveness in integrating the Nokia Devices & Services business with Microsoftʼs businesses; the response of existing Microsoft smart devices original equipment manufacturers; risks related to the Nokia Devices & Services international operations; and our ability to realize our broader strategic and operating objectives. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements because of these and other risk and uncertainties of our business, which are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Microsoftʼs business, please refer to the “Managementʼs Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections of Microsoftʼs SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Microsoftʼs Investor Relations department at (800) 285-7772 or at Microsoftʼs Investor Relations website at http://www.microsoft.com/investor.


Steve Ballmer email to Microsoft employees on Nokia Devices & Services acquisition

From: Steve Ballmer
To: MS FTEs
Date: Sep. 2, 8:00 PM PDT (Sep. 3, 6:00 AM EET)
Subject: Accelerating Growth


We announced some exciting news today: We have entered into an agreement to purchase Nokiaʼs Devices & Services business, which includes their smartphone and mobile phone businesses, their award-winning design team, manufacturing and assembly facilities around the world, and teams devoted to operations, sales, marketing and support.


For Microsoft, this is a bold step into the future and the next big phase of the transformation we announced on July 11.


We are very excited about the proposal to bring the best mobile device efforts of Microsoft and Nokia together. Our Windows Phone partnership over the past two and half years has yielded incredible work - the stunning Lumia 1020 is a great example. Our partnership has also yielded incredible growth. In fact, Nokia Windows Phones are the fastest-growing phones in the smartphone market.


Now is the time to build on this momentum and accelerate our share and profits in phones. Clearly, greater success with phones will strengthen the overall opportunity for us and our partners to deliver on our strategy to create a family of devices and services for individuals and businesses that empower people around the globe at home, at work and on the go, for the activities they value most.


We have laid out Microsoftʼs strategic rationale for this transaction in a presentation that I encourage you to read.


This is a smart acquisition for Microsoft, and a good deal for both companies. We are receiving incredible talent, technology and IP. Weʼve all seen the amazing work that Nokia and Microsoft have done together.


Given our long partnership with Nokia and the many key Nokia leaders that are joining Microsoft, we expect a smooth transition and great execution.


As is always the case with an acquisition, the first priority is to keep driving through close, which we expect in the first quarter of 2014, following approval by Nokiaʼs shareholders, regulatory approvals, and other closing conditions.


But I also know people will have some questions about what happens post-close. While details arenʼt final, here is what we know, and how weʼre generally approaching integration:




1. Stephen Elop will be coming back to Microsoft, and he will lead an expanded Devices team, which includes all of our current Devices and Studios work and most of the teams coming over from Nokia, reporting to me.
2. Julie Larson-Green will continue to run the Devices and Studios team, and will be focused on the big launches this fall including Xbox One and our Surface enhancements. Julie will be joining Stephenʼs team once the acquisition closes, and will work with him to shape the new organization.
3. As part of the acquisition, a number of key engineering leaders will be joining Microsoft from Nokia, reporting to Stephen in his new capacity:
· Jo Harlow, who will continue to lead the Smart Devices team
· Timo Toikkanen, who will continue to lead the Mobile Phones team
· Stefan Pannenbecker, who will lead Design
· Juha Putkiranta, who will lead the integration effort on Nokiaʼs behalf
4. Regarding the sales team, we plan to keep the Nokia field team, led by Chris Weber, intact and as the nexus of the devices sales effort, so that we can continue to build sales momentum. After the deal closes, Chris and his team will be placed under Kevin Turner. We will develop a single integrated team that is selling to operators, and there may be other integration opportunities that we can pursue. Kevin will work with Chris Weber and Chris Capossela to make those plans.
5. Our operating system team under Terry Myerson will continue unchanged, with a mission of supporting both first-party and third-party hardware innovation. We are committed to working with partners, helping them build great products and great businesses on our platform, and we believe this deal will increase our partner value proposition over time. The established rhythms and ways of working between Terry and his team and the incoming Nokia team will serve us well to ensure that we do not disrupt our building momentum.
6. We are planning to integrate all global marketing under Tami Reller and Mark Penn. It is very important that we pursue a unified brand and advertising strategy as soon as possible.
7. Finance, Legal, HR, Communications, DX / Evangelism, Customer Care and Business Development will integrate functionally at Microsoft. Sourcing, customer logistics and supply chain will be part of Stephenʼs Devices organization. ICM / IT will also integrate functionally for traditional IT roles. We will need to work through the implications for factory systems given the differing manufacturing processes and systems at both Nokia and Microsoft.
8. We plan to pursue a single set of supporting services for our devices, and we will figure out how to combine the great Nokia efforts into our Microsoft services as we go through the integration process.
9. There are no significant plans to shift where work is done in the world as we integrate, so we expect the Nokia teams to stay largely in place, geographically.
10. Tom Gibbons will lead the integration work for Microsoft.

While todayʼs announcement is big news, we have to stay heavily focused on running the current business. We have a huge fall and holiday season ahead of us, so we need to execute flawlessly and continue to drive our business forward. I have no doubt we will.


Steve