Microsoft has confirmed that it will complete its acquisition of Nokia’s mobile phone business this Friday, expanding the reach of the Windows Phone operating system.

Windows Phone has posted its highest ever share of the smartphone market, emerging the third most popular operating system (OS) behind leaders Android and Apple.

WEAKENING economies and falling prices of rival smartphones are hurting sales of Apple iPhones across Europe, data from research firm Kantar Worldpanel ComTech shows.

APPLE’S long-awaited iPhone 4S and Samsung Electronics’ fresh, broad offering are likely to stand out in this festive season’s smartphone sales which will otherwise be clouded by global economic doubt.