When software giant Microsoft (MSFT) acquired Finnish cell phone handset maker Nokia, it decided only the hardware division would be of use, leaving the maps and networking side behind in the $7.2 billion acquisition.

In the past year, Microsoft has eliminated 18,000 jobs, mostly from the Nokia hardware division, while the Nokia software division back in Finland has announced a strong Q3 net profit of $946 million, with revenues of $4.18 billion in the third quarter.

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The move to have no factories in Finland and the removal of most of their workforce has left Nokia in a rather promising spot. According to internal reports, the company is interested in regaining a foothold in the mobile phone business, but they are currently barred from entering the market - one of the clauses Microsoft added in the acquisition.

Microsoft has already denounced the Nokia brand and will sell their new mobile phones as "Lumia" devices. This means if the software division back in Finland doesn't jump on the chance for mobile devices once the clause is over, the Nokia brand might sink to become another historical name, like Palm or Sony Ericsson.

Nokia recently started porting HERE maps and other services onto Android, and the last year of Nokia showed some resistance to Windows Phone, the platform ex-CEO Stephen Elop kept pushing.

Many would like to see Nokia's revival in the phone business, especially if it wants to work on Android and other platforms. Having a Windows Phone only choice has mitigated Nokia's reach in the past five years, but it's still one of the most recognized companies in the industry.

TagsNokia, Here Maps, Nokia phones