Right now, the Windows Phone platform walks the line between Android and iOS. WP is licensed to 3rd party vendors, like Android, but those vendors are not free to do with it as they please, more like iOS. The OS tries to give some customization while keeping control in the hands of Microsoft. With the bombshell announcement late last night that Microsoft will purchase Nokia's mobile division, sources are now wondering if Windows Phone will become an exclusively Microsoft product...Source: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Will-Microsoft-stop-licensing-Windows-Phone-after-acquiring-Nokia_id47019
