Burning the ships at Nokia
14th February 2011
Cringely reads the tea leaves.
That’s why Nokia did the deal with Microsoft, which will be assuming the burden of all that software development and paying Nokia for the privilege. It’s a short-term play that makes perfect sense in an industry where CEOs last an average of four years. Stephen Elop’s four years are now fairly certain, his golden parachute packed and ready.
When watching the clip of Elop and Steve Ballmer appearing together on stage, I kept waiting for Ballmer to pat Elop on the head and say ‘Good dog! Good dog!’
(Does Steve Ballmer look like Uncle Fester, or is it just me?)