Microsoft’s $7.2 Billion Nokia Bet Leaves Developers Cold: Tech

Microsoft Corp.’s $7.2 billion pairing with Nokia Oyj’s handset business is failing to win over the software developers who are crucial to its success.

Consider Tommy Palm and Jeff Smith. Palm, who oversees development at smartphone-game maker King.com, and Smith, who runs music-application maker Smule Inc., have long avoided building apps for devices using Microsoft’s Windows Phone software. Closer ties with Nokia haven’t swayed them. Both say even after the acquisition closes, Microsoft still won’t have enough users to make it worth the time and money.