Nokia Android-powered Smartphone To Be Launched at the Mobile World Congress

by Popa Loredana · Published February 11, 2014 · Updated February 22, 2014

After several rumors and speculations, it seems that the mysterious Android-powered Nokia Normandy will actually reach the market. We all know that Nokia engineers had been developing the Android phone before Microsoft’s deal from last year to buy Nokia’s handset business and license the company’s patents, but it hasn’t been clear before now if this Nokia Android phone has any real chance or not. A recent report from The Wall Street Journal has just claimed that we should expect it to be launched at the Mobile World Congress trade show starting Feb. 24, but that’s much more to find out about it.

Apps from Nokia and Microsoft

The publication also confirmed that this Nokia Android-powered smartphone won’t be based on Google Play Store, as many of you would want. To be more specific, the handset will feature apps from Nokia and Microsoft and not the usual Gmail and Maps apps. This list includes apps such as Here maps and Nokia MixRadio, not to mention the rumors regarding a special Nokia app store with Android apps inside.

Nokia Android-powered Smartphone To Be Launched at the Mobile World Congress

Why a Nokia Android-powered Device?

Are you wondering why is everyone talking about an upcoming Android-powered Normandy when Microsoft is supposed to have its own reliable mobile OS? You aren’t the only one out there thinking of this strange situation, but the explanation might be easier than you are expecting: Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system doesn’t yet work on the low-cost smartphones.

So, as our source suggests, there are big chances to discover that Nokia Android-powered smartphone is nothing else than an entry-level one, of course targeted at emerging markets only. But meanwhile, Microsoft will have the chance to focus its entire attention on other Windows Phone devices to better compete with the most recent (and definitely impressive) smartphones released.

Finally, as strange as it might sound, we might be talking about a carefully planned Android phone strategy for Microsoft to save its Windows Phone operating software.