Buy Olympus or Canon instead

Summary: Nikon to pay Microsoft for unspecified patents that relate to Android

According to this report we've just been sent, Microsoft's racket has expanded somewhat:

Remember Nikon Corp.'s (TYO:7731) Android-powered smart cameras like the Coolpix S800c? Well it appears that adding Google Inc.'s (GOOG) free operating system isn't going to be quite so free -- Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) has successfully shaken down the Japanese camera maker for a licensing fee.

Most of the top Android phonemakers -- including HTC Corp. (TPE:2498) and Samsung Electronics Comp., Ltd. (KSC:005930) -- pay licensing fees ranging from $10 to $15 per unit to Microsoft. Now it appears that the camera makers will be following in suit. (Samsung presumably pays Microsoft a licensing fee on its "Galaxy" Android smartcameras).

Yes, and Samsung is another one to avoid, so for cameras use Canon or Olympus. to name two of the big brands. Don't buy Nikon as it helps legitimise Microsoft's 'Linux tax'. We don't know if it's just FAT-related because Nikon refuses to tell us, which makes Nikon part of the problem, unlike TomTom for instance. ⬆