Microsoft sees $3.19 bn loss on Nokia writedown

Microsoft announced a net loss of $3.19 billion in the past quarter Tuesday, blaming a hefty writedown on the smartphone business it acquired from Nokia. Microsoft also took restructuring charges of nearly a billion dollars as part of the move, which included some 7,800 job cuts worldwide. Sales from Windows, the core of the Microsoft business, fell 22 percent as the company ramped up for the release of the new Windows 10 operating system, aimed at both personal computers and mobile devices.