Microsoft is trying to close its gap behind Google in the mobile market – and the mobile search market. Rumors that the company is looking to buy Nokia have generated new hype thanks to a tip from industry insider Eldar Murtzain.
BGR.com reports that Murtzain says Microsoft has made a deal to buy Nokia for $19 billion. The phone company has denied this rumor, telling The Wall Street Journal that reports of a Microsoft deal are “completely baseless.” But marketers might take note that BGR says Murtzain also predicted the partnership between Microsoft and Nokia that currently allows Nokia to use Micrsoft's Windows Phone platform.
If the acquisition happens, this would bring full integration of Bing's mobile services to Nokia devcices. This is the type of “sure-thing” Bing might need to secure its place in the mobile search market – especially as Google's mobile stock rises. As Brafton has reported, Google-powered Android devices are in high demand. Plus, Google has just renewed its search deal with Apple, meaning Google will remain the default search engine for iPhones and iPads.
The hype about mobile partnerships and mobile search engines should be of interest to search marketers. Brafton recently reported that on-the-go searching is increasingly leading to m-commerce. Marketers will want to plan timely, locally oriented SEO strategies accordingly.
