The timing is interesting. From where I am sitting, it doesn't seem like Apple's MO to "team" with anyone... & from what I have read, Apple gave NOK just about what they were willing to agree to from the start of the battle.
Based on settling with NOK right before the Nortel auction is winding down, we are just as likely to conclude that Apple is not going to be a contender for the patents. I have read articles and opinions that take both sides on this speculation, so apparently nobody knows anything. Especially me.
All I know that NOK is getting spanked again today, now trading in the $5s. If they got such a great deal from Apple, one that will pay them ongoing royalties from Apple products going forward and allegedly has set the stage for Android manufacturers to come to the table and acquiesce to NOK's demands, then why are they getting so severely punished?
Not much is adding up.