Microsoft unveils Android phone

[Jola]

Microsoft has unveiled its first phone after completing its takeover of Nokia's handset division - and the device is powered by Android.

The operating system, developed by Google, is usually seen as a rival to Microsoft's own Windows Phone OS.

Microsoft said the Nokia X2 offered it a way to hook users into its cloud-based services, several of which come pre-installed as apps.

For all the guys who have been saying that they would love to see Android on Nokia hardware.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27992439

 

[ponder]

Wtf? And this after Nokia went with the MS OS and then MS brought them and now they have Android

 

[])ragon_\/oid]

Run! The end is neigh!

 

[cerebus]

They just don't have a clue what they're doing.

 

[DA-LION-619]

They're trying to get devs to build for the Nokia X platform using Nokia api's.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I am pro this decision, now I want to see where it will take their market share as long as the Play Store is kept intact and allow positive development in line with Windows Phone. This will also eliminate the Nokia Asha devices.

 

[Arthur]

No GMS as far as I know. You won't even know it's Android.

 

[cerebus]

No GMS as far as I know. You won't even know it's Android.

So, total waste of time in other words.

 

[Arthur]

For you perhaps.

But they might end up selling millions anyway.

No access to the Play Store, only the Nokia Store.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Its an interesting move, still its a low end handset.
Since I started using WP Im actually happier with it than android.

 

[Dolby]

What is GMS?
So it's not Android as we know it?

 

[skimread]

I wouldn't mind the Lumia 1020 running Android

 

[Arthur]

What is GMS?
So it's not Android as we know it?

What most people call Android on their smartphones and tablets actually consists of two parts. 1. The "basic Android" which is open source, freely downloaded by anyone, and 2. Google Mobile Services (GMS), which adds all the Google bits like Play Store, Google activation and log-in, Maps, Docs, Plus, etc ...ie all the added extra services that Google can use to track your usage, browsing, mail, etc, etc so they can sell your eyes to advertisers (by honing your profile, ads can be targeted, and advertisers pay for that).

Anyone can make an Android phone without signing any agreement with Google. Amazon has Android devices that don't have GMS. Now Nokia has.

 

[DigitalSoldier]

Its an interesting move, still its a low end handset.
Since I started using WP Im actually happier with it than android.

Agreed!!

I bought my Nokia just as a nice to have item, but since wp 8.1 I enjoy the phone more than my old Android phone.

My upgrade is in a couple of months then I will also looking at getting a decent Nokia WP.

 

[Dolby]

Thanks Arthur!

 

[kianm]

Wonder how long it's going to take to fill their App store with compatible apps then

 

[KleinBoontjie]

I guess they realise that this is the only way to make a buck out of Nokia, after the WP8 debacle...

 

[Arthur]

Microsoft make at least a billion dollars a year off Android patent royalties.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Don't bother Arthur...

All most people see is Android and Nokia and Microsoft... they don't even begin to want to understand that this phone started development way before MS bought Nokia, and it would be monumentally foolish of MS to waste all that R&D cost, etc....

 

[Arthur]

And the real battle is not over device operating systems. It's ecosystems.

Using AOSP, as Nokia and Amazon are doing, does nothing for Google.