This week's headlines from the technology sector were understandably focused on Apple's courtroom defeat of Samsung, which has been ordered to pay $1bn in damages to its bitter technology rival after it was ruled that it had infringed patents. The decision wiped $12bn from the value of the Korean technology giant, and hit shares in Google, too, with investors worried that the verdict could delay the launch of Android devices from other manufacturers.
The news somewhat vindicates Nokia's much-derided decision last year not to develop Android-based phones in favour of a tie-up with Microsoft. Unlike Samsung, Nokia and Microsoft are understood to have already agreed patent licensing tie-ups with Apple. And, with a raft of new Windows-based phones lined up for launch in September, investors are betting that Nokia could finally start to recover some of the ground it had lost to Apple and Android-based rivals in the smartphone race. Having slumped to a 16-year low in mid July following another profit warning, Nokia's shares have since doubled to $2.57, including an 8 per cent gain in the wake of the Apple court ruling.
