Its a big gamble on Microsoft's part to buy Nokia for a kings ransom, the price includes all the patents pending already in the portfolio - something Google did with purchasing Motorola.
However the deal is more to do with keeping Windows OS relevant. We suggested Nokia is just a trojan horse for Microsoft here just last week, and that hasn't changed our opinion now Windows will have a permanent home.HTC already said they would scale back their Windows footprint. HP are making more and more Android devices. So Microsoft will need to keep themselves in the spot light, yes we know they have started to get a small market share but with the new iPhone and a honami of new phones on the way that market share will change again.
So the purchase was just keep Windows out there, Nokia have a healthy portfolio of patents that Noksoft will use to slap the competition about with, that would be attractive to them and maybe they will recoup some of the cash there....remove the maybe, Noksoft will for sure.
Interesting to see how this pans out but will this hurt Android and iOS ?! Not any time soon that's for sure.
See you in court soon Noksoft.
**Update**
Subject to previous notes, Microsoft will licence all the patents from Nokia, they have not been purchased, the deal is 10yrs before renewal.