recently , which makes phones, but analysts are watching that purchase closely to see how Google manages its relationships with other Android hardware makers, especially Samsung, the global Android leader.

"We'll see how the purchase goes with Google and Motorola, but I'm doubting that will work out," Enderle said.

The biggest reason it is difficult for software and hardware companies to work together is because of cultural differences and work styles of hardware engineers compared to software engineers, Enderle said. Microsoft bought both WebTV and Danger, maker of the Sidekick, and both ventures failed, he said.

"If you add the size of Nokia, the physical distance from Redmond [home of Microsoft in Washington state], and the cultural differences, it would be incredibly difficult to do this and not destroy Nokia in the process," Enderle said.

Instead of buying Nokia, analysts agree that Microsoft needs to continue to work closely with the cell phone maker. "Microsoft and Nokia need to drive the Windows Phone OS forward as fast as possible, and Microsoft needs to believe that the phone is a crucial element to the success of their ecosystem going forward," said Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at Gartner.