Just prior to being acquired by Microsoft, Nokia developed and released a line of handsets for emerging markets based on Android. These devices used the base Andriod Open Source Project software tied to many Nokia and Microsoft services instead of Google, and modified with a sudo Windows Phone skin. It made some sense for Nokia as an independent phone maker to diversify its product line with Windows Phone not capturing huge chunks of market share, but makes zero sense for Microsoft to make a gimped Android-based device when Windows Phone runs better on low-end hardware and offers a better experience than the X.
“We will be particularly focused on making the market for Windows Phone. In the near term, we plan to drive Windows Phone volume by targeting the more affordable smartphone segments, which are the fastest-growing segments of the market, with Lumia,” says Stephen Elop, executive VP at Microsoft and former Nokia CEO. “In addition to the portfolio already planned, we plan to deliver additional lower-cost Lumia devices by shifting select future Nokia X designs and products to Windows Phone devices. We expect to make this shift immediately while continuing to sell and support existing Nokia X products.”
There you have it. Microsoft isn’t going to make Android phones. Shocker.
In other news, researchers determine that the sky is blue.
