When you think of Nokia, you think of Windows phones. That’s even more the case with the recently announced plans for Microsoft to acquire the Finnish company for $7.2 billion.
Nokia has certainly been responsible for its share of Windows devices. They include the Lumia 625, the company’s largest screened smartphone to date and possibly the world’s largest Windows phablet, the Lumia 1520.
And let’s not stop with Windows Phone devices. Nokia also recently made headlines by unveiling it’s first Windows tablet, the long-awaited 10.1-inch Lumia 2520, which runs on Windows RT.
So many might be surprised at news that Nokia continues to develop a new Android phone — and that Microsoft may actually be open to the idea.
Nokia Android Phone is Code Named Normandy
Photos of the new Nokia Android phone code named Normandy have appeared on well-known tech leak site @evleak, reports The Verge. (See the photo above.)
The device is described by sources as being similar in design to the company’s Lumia phone line, but created for a budget market like the company’s recent line of Asha phones.
It would have a modified version of Android similar to the modified versions Amazon has created for its mobile devices. And it would feature many popular apps available on other Android phones.
Most surprising, however, is that Microsoft might be willing to go ahead with the phone even if it takes over and starts operating Nokia before the new phone is released.
There are a couple of reasons Microsoft might not be adverse to the idea of a Nokia Android device, reports AllThingsD:
- First, the new design reportedly has a look and feel closer to Windows Phone, despite its operating system, and
- Second, the phone would deliver Microsoft services like Bing and Skype, and Microsoft may like the idea of a phone for Android users that doesn’t market the services of its rival Google.
Benefits for Small Businesses
If Microsoft lets the Nokia Android phone move forward, it may signal the beginning of the end of the fiefdoms large technology companies have created around their products.
Microsoft is already contemplating free licensing for its Windows Phone operating system. This could encourage more smartphone developers to incorporate Windows Phone making it available on more types of devices. It also frees small business 0wners from the difficulties of having to choose between their favorite operating system and their favorite hardware.
Image: @evleak
Android is a Microsoft product. No worries for them installing thier own products on thier own phones. Windows Phone 8.1 will not require hard buttons, so we just be seeing Windows Phone 8.1 phones. As well as that, they may be dual boot phones, which aren’t neccessarily Windows Phones and not neccessarily Android Phones. They are a hybrid.
Android still has a better app market and larger adoption, so this is a smart move for them.
Best of Both Worlds in this product perhaps? One might wonder how the marketing will work for this phone.
ed pierce
Could this mean that windows phone sales are starting to taper off?
Aira Bongco
Now that’s surprising. I thought that they are planning to release a series of Windows phones or they want to become the sole provider of Windows phones. I guess I am mistaken.