However, what this does actually do is beg the question of why they opted for Microsoft. 1) It differentiates them from the sea of Android phones. 2) Nokia's

However, what this does actually do is beg the question of why they opted for Microsoft. 1) It differentiates them from the sea of Android phones. 2) Nokia's CEO, Stephen Elop, was a former head of Microsoft's business division. So there was already a (presumably) favorable relationship in place.