A real Asha. Or Lumia? The Nokia Normandy. pic.twitter.com/Q4jpPNte1l
— @evleaks (@evleaks) November 25, 2013
Nokia is reportedly trying to squeeze out an Android phone as it waits for the finalization of the Microsoft takeover of the company’s handset business. Microsoft announced the acquisition of Nokia’s phone business for $7.2 billion in September 2013.
According to the Verge, “The Finnish phone maker has been working on a low-cost Android smartphone that’s codenamed Normandy.” This is device is said to use a “forked” variant of Android that is different from what Google uses.
Verge reports that 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.
The Verge says 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.”
