I think it was the smartest move EVER made in the smartphones segment.. read my mind.. :
You're now supported (for always) by one of the most giants company in the world, where their pocket is way too big, while nokia by itself wasn't..
Just compare windows systems to windows phone system...
-Windows XP - BIG hit, just like symbian with N95
-Windows vista - It was a ''failure'', but it opened the doors for the future, showing a perfect UI although it had bugs and optimization had to be made (just like wp7)
-Windows 7 - such a big hit, faster and smarter, the system just got perfect (windows phone 8, although sales could be better and they will now.)
-Windows 8 - everyone who knows and understand of tech, knows that this is a perfect system with a great UI, fast and most of all: stable.
Which windows phone is yet to see (windows phone 9?)
Sum up:
Microsoft has always been improving their products, smartphones are the future, and I'm sure microsoft DOES NOT WANT to stay out of it, they bough NOKIA, a big company which is trusted by EVERYONE, by it's name, reability and trustness.
Just like the windows ecosystem, windows phone has been improving, sales are growing and it will be a big hit, we can see that microsoft's position will chance from now on, smartphones are today the biggest market along with pc's/tablets, and now nokia has money.. improvement are coming guys, take your popcorn and watch the future happening.