Its been a pretty major week for mobile news, with many of the industrys biggest players making announcements. 

Samsung unveiled its first smart watch, the Galaxy Gear – but also revealed that the device requires pairing with one of the manufacturers smartphones; IMRG and Capgemini announced that mobiles share of online sales have doubled since Q2 last year; and Google partnered up with Nestlé to name the next version of Android KitKat. No money changed hands, apparently, but the co-branding deal still opened a potential new world of mobile marketing. 

There was no shortage of money going around elsewhere, with Monitise paying £16.5m to acquire app developer Grapple, Vodafone selling its 45 per cent stake in Verizon Wireless for £84bn, and of course, Microsoft acquiring Nokias mobile division for €4.6bn.

This last story really took me by surprise – a rarity in a world where the Galaxy Gear has been an open secret for weeks, and where we already know most of the details of Apples big announcement next week.

Speaking with analysts to put together a feature on the acquisition, though, it occurred to me that maybe we shouldnt have been so surprised. Youll find more on that, exactly what the deal means, and what lies ahead for the two companies here.

Meanwhile, George Cole took an in-depth look back at Nokias 25-year history in mobile, from the Mobira Cityman 900 to the Lumia. 

Finally, events season is nearly upon us. Next Wednesday is our Mobile Gaming & Gambling Summit, with Mobile Marketing Live and the Effective Mobile Marketing Awards not far behind. Weve kicked off our series of Twitter interviews ahead of Mobile Marketing Live, starting – where else? – with Twitters Dara Nasr. You can see the compiled interview here, and keep your eyes to the #MMLiveGlobal hashtag for more in the coming weeks.

Well be back Monday with more of the best stories as they break. Until then, enjoy your weekend and thanks for reading.

Alex Spencer

Online Editor