The Verge: Nokia's Android phone leaked

[satam55]

This is Nokia's Android phone
Codename Normandy is 'full steam ahead'
By Tom Warrenon December 10, 2013 06:22 pm

Nokia has been building its own Android phone according to multiple sources familiar with the company’s plans. Codenamed Normandy, and known internally at Nokia under a number of other names, the handset is designed as the next step in low-end phones from the Finnish smartphone maker. We understand that Nokia has been testing “Normandy” with a special “forked” variant of Android that’s not aligned with Google’s own version, akin to what Amazon does with its Kindle Fire line.

An image of the handset was published in November by @evleaks, showing a Lumia-style device with no apparent capacitive buttons for navigation. We’re told that Normandy supports Android applications like Skype, and other popular top apps. Nokia has been developing the Android-powered phone despite Microsoft’s plans to acquire the company’s handset business. It’s now unclear whether Nokia will release the handset before the Microsoft deal is finalized, or whether Microsoft will continue will the plans for the device.

Multiple sources have revealed to The Verge that Normandy is designed as an Asha equivalent to push low-cost devices with access to more traditional smartphone apps — something the company has struggled to achieve for its Series 40-powered Asha line. Nokia’s effort is similar to Amazon’s own use of Android, allowing the company to customize it fully for its own use. Nokia employees working on Normandy were informed the device is planned as a 2014 release, and one insider described the Normandy effort as "full steam ahead." Unless Nokia manages to release Normandy ahead of its Microsoft deal, we can’t imagine Microsoft is interested in using Android to target the low-end over its own Windows Phone operating system.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/10/5197746/nokia-android-phone-normandy

 

[satam55]

According to this article from Cnet, this phone is supposed to have a forked version of Android. Similar to Amazon's Fire OS on the Amazon Kindle tablets:

Nokia Normandy reported to be a Nokia Android phone

By Rich Trenholm on 11 December 2013, 10:52am

Nokia could storm the beaches of the Android app store with rumours of an Android-powered phone, codenamed the Nokia Normandy and possibly set for release in the new year.

Ever reliable Twitter tipster @evleaks showed off a picture of what's purported to be the Normandy a couple of weeks ago, wondering if it's an Asha or a Lumia. But now the Vergereckons it's neither, citing "multiple sources" who claim the Normandy codename in fact refers to an Android phone, set for release in 2014.

The software is reported to be a special forked variant of Android -- as in, following a forked path split off in a new direction from the Android we know.

That sounds similar to the way Amazon uses Android software in the Kindle Fire tablets, which are based on Google's software but have a completely new interface designed to point you towards Amazon's own services.

A Nokia spokesperson declined to comment.

Nokia is rumoured to have experimented with Android in the past before firmly opting for Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system for its Lumia line of smart phones. With Microsoft on track to buy the Finnish phone company, all concerned may lose interest in building an Android phone, but it may still see the light of day as a low-cost phone to tempt phone fans who have already bought into the world of Android apps.

Access to the world of Android apps would solve one of the criticisms levelled at Windows Phone: that it doesn't have as many decent apps as rivals Android and Apple.

Would you buy a Nokia Android phone or will Nokia fork Android right up? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or fork off to our Facebook wall.

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/nokia-normandy-reported-to-be-a-nokia-android-phone-50012990/

 

[King Sun]

 

[Ukbrotha]

Kinda late, but I would've loved Nokia hardware with android. I see Microsoft shutting this down though.

 

[satam55]

Kinda late, but I would've loved Nokia hardware with android. I see Microsoft shutting this down though.

Microsoft doesn't own Nokia, yet. So if Nokia wants to put this phone out NOW, Microsoft can't do shyt until the acquisition is finished.

 

[Colilluminati]

low-end?android?

I'm still waiting on a Windows Lumia for Sprint.

@Hiphoplives4eva get ya fukking people breh

 

[Krazy]

Not gonna sell...

 

[newarkhiphop]

Bbbbbbbut nokia don't need Android

get down or lay down

 

[satam55]

Bbbbbbbut nokia don't need Android

get down or lay down

Mmm-hmm! Both Nokia & Blackberry are suffering for not jumping on that Android bandwagon.

 

[GoldenGlove]