Timeline: Microsoft and Nokia

1981-82

Microsoft 
IBM introduces its 16-bit personal computer, running MS‑DOS in 1981

Nokia 
Nokia introduces its first carphone, the Mobira Senator in 1982

1987

Microsoft 
Windows 2.0 ships, with desktop icons and expanded memory. Control Panel makes its first appearance.

Nokia 
Introduction of first handheld mobile phone, the Mobira Cityman, weighing three-quarters of a kilogram (1.7 pounds).

1988

Microsoft
The company becomes the world’s largest PC software company based on sales.

Nokia
Nokian Tyres, manufacturer of tyres, split from Nokia Corporation to form its own company. The company would divest all non-telecoms operations over the next decade.

1993

Microsoft
The launch of 32-bit Windows NT marks an important milestone: the completion of a project to build an advanced new operating system from scratch.

Nokia
Finland falls into economic depression, hitting Nokia and leading to an overhaul of the company, including divesting its TV and PC divisions.

1995

Microsoft
The release of Windows 95, which sells a record 7 million copies in the first five weeks. This launch also sees the arrival of Internet Explorer.

Nokia
Beginning of construction on the company's HQ in Espoo. This week's Microsoft acquisition will mark the first time that the Nokia is not governed from Finland in its 148-year history.

1998

Microsoft
Windows 98 ships – the first version of the operating system designed for consumers and the last version based on MS‑DOS.

Nokia
Nokia becomes world leader in mobile phones. It will remain in the lofty position until 2012.

2000-01

Microsoft
The launch of Windows XP, in 25 languages. It will become one of Microsoft's best-selling products in the coming years.

Nokia
The launch of the Nokia 3310. Sold between 2000 and 2003, it is arguably one of the most well-known mobile phones with a whopping 120 million units shipped.

2004

Microsoft
EU orders Microsoft to pay €497 million in its anti-trust case against the software giant. It was the largest fine ever handed out by the EU at the time.

Nokia
Company launches its first touchscreen phone, the Nokia 7710.

2006

Microsoft
The launch of Windows Vista, widely seen as one of the company biggest flops.

Nokia
The company announces it would merge its mobile and fixed-line phone network equipment businesses with Siemens AG to create one of the world's largest network firms.

2009

Microsoft
The year sees the arrival of Windows 7 and Microsoft's push into touch.

Nokia
One of the first combinations with Microsoft: Nokia announced a high-end Windows netbook called the Nokia Booklet 3G.

2011

Microsoft and Nokia
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop – who had left Microsoft the year before – announces a strategic partnership with Microsoft to base Nokia's smartphones on Windows mobile-operating system and move away from Symbian.

2012

Microsoft
Windows 8 launches, aimed squarely at the touch market. It fails to win over the market, especially with the loss of the Start button introduced with Windows 1995. Microsoft soon announces impending update, Windows 8.1.

Nokia
Samsung overtakes Nokia as the world's largest maker of mobile phones.

2013

Microsoft and Nokia
Microsoft announces plans to buy Nokia's mobile phone business in a €5.4 billion (A$7.9 billion) deal, in which Stephen Elop will rejoin the software giant.

[Related: Microsoft to buy Nokia Devices for $8 billion]