Then it'd be idiotic for thinking MS wouldn't keep the Nokia branding. Having other OEMs on board doesn't make any sense, this isn't Android nor should it strive to be. MS doesn't have a competitive ad based platform like Google does (which keeps Android free) and can't depend on that sort of business model--even Ballmer knows its nearly impossible to emulate. Plus there's also the problem of WP not being open source like Android so there's even less reason to have a myriad of manufacturers that are all using the same underlying software with just some minor hardware differences.
WP wasn't meant to be like Android, so drop the comparison to Google and Android. Also Android isn't 'free' in any sense, that's a perpetuate myth. Ever since Google has owned it, it costs you more than you think. MS has the rights to the Nokia name and Lumia for 10 years but I highly doubt they'll use it that long. I have a bit of experience with company take overs so I'm not talking out of my *** here.
Having other OEMs on board makes lots of sense. Just because it's not Android doesn't mean it's not viable. Also it would appear that WP8.1 will take care of some of the issues surrounding hardware so it may become very viable for other OEMs.
Yes it would be stupid to kill Metro UI since IMO it is the best interface out there for smartphones but not their desktop. MS is focused on convergence between tablets, desktop and phones and they have unsuccessfully tried pushing Metro to pull that off. The backlash against the desktop Windows 8 is proof of that fact. So they may very well be considering an alternative UI to take its place that resembles something more like what Android uses or perhaps even a hybrid. So while I think it's fine the way it is for phones, it is terrible on the desktop.
People are adverse to change. I personally like the Metro interface on desktop, phone and tablet. I personally hated the Start menu and was glad to see it gone. I'd personally like to see a complete Metro interface for desktop myself. Get rid of the 'desktop' all together, or kept for certain special occasions. A few more updates and I think Metro will work with well with Windows. Give it time. It's still new.
I don't think WP will ever look like Android and I don't see it happening. Why would they do that?
With regards to the "troll", he certainly has made plenty of errors and we all have more than enough reason to doubt him. However, I wouldn't take MS's word for it either because it wouldn't be in their interest to reveal plans for a major change like that - it would pretty much kill WP sales.
I will doubt him as he has a well known vendetta against both Nokia and MS now. I won't take him seriously as there's no reason to. If MS is working with Samsung to get more WP out there, then great, it's all the better for WP. However, I doubt it would be that kind of money. I could see more like a concession of the license fee or something like that.
As for MS future plans, we all know they're very quiet about it. Hell they manage to manufacture a tablet without leaking it.