Ever since the deal was originally announced last September, we've been told that Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Nokia's Devices & Services division would reach completion during the first quarter of 2014. With just a week left in Q1 2014, though, both companies have now issued an update to say that the deal's closure is now expected to come a little later.

According to Nokia, the acquisition is still undergoing review by Asian antitrust authorities. The two firms say that they continue to make progress on their closing conditions and integration planning in the mean time, though, and that the deal is expected to reach completion in April. Once it does, Microsoft says that the deal will "accelerate [its] mobile-first, cloud-first imperatives" and boost adoption of Windows Phones.

Microsoft and Nokia's deal has already received approval from 15 regulatory bodies on 5 continents, including the European Commission and U.S. Department of Justice, and Nokia's shareholders have also given their green light. While I'm sure that both companies are a bit disappointed that their marriage has been pushed back a bit, the fact that it'll now reach completion in April will make that month even better. Not only will those two finally become one, but Microsoft is expected to formally unveil Windows Phone 8.1 at its Build Developer Conference, complete with goodies like an Action Center notification panel and Cortana personal assistant. Get excited, Windows Phoners!

Via Nokia, Microsoft