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Nokia Still Experimenting With Android Smartphone
Nerval's Lobster writes "According to unnamed sources, Nokia is working on an Android-based smartphone. The test versions of the device, which is codenamed 'Normandy,' run a heavily modified version of Android. In late November, @evleaks posted an alleged image of the phone, which (if accurate) includes many of the Nokia design hallmarks, such as a brightly colored shell and prominent rear camera. Exactly how the software differs from the 'standard' version of Android is an open question, although other companies that have forked the operating system (most notably Amazon, with its Kindle tablets) haven't been shy about modifying the user interface in radical ways. According to AllThingsD, Nokia's 'low-end mobile phone unit' is overseeing the project. 'Normandy aims to repurpose the open-source version of Android into a better entry-level smartphone than Nokia has had with its current Asha line,' the publication explained, 'which is based on the aging Series 40 operating system.' But here's the rub: Nokia's phone unit is well on its way to becoming a Microsoft subsidiary. Microsoft competes against Google in many arenas, including mobile and search. The idea of a Microsoft ancillary producing an Android-based phone to compete in lower-end markets — where cheap Android phones dominate — is liable to provoke a burst of surprised laughter from anyone in tech: surely such a project would never hit store-shelves, given Microsoft's very public backing of Windows Phone as its sole mobile OS. And yet, there's also reason to think Microsoft might actually take a chance on an alternative OS. Over the past few years, the company's legal team has cornered the majority of Android manufacturers worldwide into a stark deal: agree to pay a set fee for every Android device produced, or face a costly patent-infringement lawsuit. As a result of that arm-twisting, Microsoft already makes quite a bit of money off Android (more, perhaps, than it earns selling Windows Phone), which could acclimate it to the idea of taking the leap and actually selling Android devices."
The simple explanation is that the Nokia acquisition is not complete yet, and in the interim Nokia legally needs to act like the acquisition may not happen. This is a project that can take fruit if, for some reason the MS acquisition fails. It will be killed off if the takeover goes through, as simple as that.
This space for rent.
The summary is incorrect. Low end windows phone are far more competitive with Android on the low end spectrum that high end. If anything, they would be making competing high end Android phones (which again seems completely unlikely).
did you forget to take your meds?
Give that Nokia is an empty husk of a company whose only real asset is hundreds of patents. They are a giant of a patent troll in the making. This Android story is designed to make them look like innovators in front of the EU and other critics and watchdogs.
Its not often discussed in a sensible manor, but Nokia's minor(if I am being kind) success in the smartphone market was with new customers at the very bottom end of the market...one where Apple promoting journalists may describe as being filled landfill android, but never was. If they has a competitive OS(they don't, haven't and probably won't) instead of competing only price and quality(ish, but in reputation definitely) hardware . Ironically the Moto G was launched this month (I've used it its stock androidish) is unbeatable this market segment(I wish I had never bought my Nexus 5, and I love it). I still think the market would have responded better to a Nokia android phone(or once upon a time with a Meego one), but launching now with an android phone without the Play store is just stupid...they would be be better going with sailfish or stock anything else is stupid(Unless someone is going to have some amazing revelation involving Nokias only money payment system). Notice how I am assuming that Nokia do this like apple with a designed in Finland.
Seems like it might be part of a soft-sell strategy to Android diehards. Microsoft has been opening up a lot to the FOSS community in the past few years and this makes at least a bit of sense. Modify the OS to have tight integration with relevant MS services while still allowing installation of apps from the Android marketplace... Then make money back on SkyDrive subscriptions or whatever the heck they're trying to push on people now.
...in high tech. That is the simplest explanation.
MSFT already makes more from android through its patent racketeering operation than from the sale of lumias. Nokia would have an advantage using android as it would not have to pay that protection money to a third party. MSFT can embrace and extend android like anyone else and it is a hedge against any possibility of failure for windows phone though I think the chances of winphone failing are diminishing over time.
This is just how business works. Apple made the II using a CPU from MOS which was a subsidiary of arch rival Commodore. Today the vast majority of android handhelds use ARM architecture which comes from a company who's largest shareholder is Apple and Apples biggest enemy has been its biggest component supplier in mobile devices over the years.
It is that simple. High tech companies are like the local yokels from Deliverance.
Low end windows phone are far more competitive with Android on the low end spectrum that high end.
Only when they are subsidised, and have a massive advertising campaign. Where throwing away the reputation of company once twice the size of Apple and four times the size of Samsung under the bus.
Going forward they don't have this luxury, have stabbed their third party manufactures in the front, while beating them with Android patents, and charging..yes CHARGING them to use their OS.
In short I notice the Moto G undercutting the bottom end Windows Phones... and its a hell of a phone.
Microsoft already makes a ton of money from Android.
You know the line is:
"you're a gal, and a cosmonaut"
right?
There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
Precisely! Nokia could just as easily use Sailfish, which they have working on their N9s, and have a different OS for their low end.
Stop being complete idiots. Release your flagship and 1 step down smartphones with a clean Android on them instead of Windows.
You will almost instantly become the #1 android phone overnight. The hardware on the Lumia 1520 is an incredible Nokia quality phone. It's HTC-ONE level of refinement, it's just stuck with a crap operating system that nobody wants.
You have the hardware already done, just unlock the bootloader and delivers some docs about the hardware to the public and let the Cyanogenmod guys port Android to it almost overnight.
This is a no brainer, you can start climbing again back to the top of the cellphone maker pile within 60 days if you simply do this ONE thing and stop crippling your hardware.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
I'd like to propose a name for this new venture, "Windows Alternative: Nokia + Google Android", or WANGdroid .
Priced like a nexus 5, while I'm dreaming.
Nokia retained rights to their brand and logo, only restricted from using logo for 2 years (until 2015). Nokia could introduce an android phone in the near future if they want to.