Nokia may be making the jump to Android for at least one handset, according to reports. Windows Phone and Nokia-specific operating systems aside, the company is believed to be working on a low-cost Android device codenamed Normandy which is set to replace the Asha lineup of devices.
An image of the supposed device was seen from @evleaks, a Twitter account with a history of leaking accurate information, back in November this year but The Verge reports that Nokia has had the Android device in the works for a while, with a projected release date of 2014. It may never happen though, since Microsoft is currently acquiring that arm of the Finnish company and they have Windows Phone to think about.
The device, seen above, looks very similar to Nokia’s Lumia range but without the capacitive buttons that have characterised the company’s very distinctive handsets. Regarding the Android installation that the low-end smartphone is supposed to have, Nokia is said to be working on a forked version of the OS that isn’t related to Google, much like Amazon uses on its Kindle Fire range of devices.
The main question is whether Nokia will release the phone before Microsoft finalises their purchase or whether Redmond will allow the Android-based phone to be released after the fact. Normandy might never happen but it would be very interesting to see Nokia’s take on Android before Microsoft takes over completely.
Source: The Verge, Ars Technica