Nokia is rumoured to be building a low-end Android phone codenamed Normandy, as the Finnish mobile giant nears the finalisation of a deal with Microsoft.
A source close to The Verge claims that Nokia is working on a ‘forked’ version of the Google operating system, which isn’t nearly as homemade as it sounds.
In fact, the ‘forking’ of this potential Nokia doesn’t involve any cutlery at all. but actually refers to the way in which the Android OS is redeveloped using the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code – similar to the way in which Amazon uses Android hardware for its Kindle devices.
Supposed images of the Nokia phone were published by Evan Blass, who is responsible for the @evleaks Twitter account and is notable for past handset leaks.
Nokia has struggled to compete in the budget smartphone market, after its Asha handset on the company’s own Symbian OS suffered heavily from its lack of apps. Nokia will be hoping that Normandy will perform much better with Android backing, particularly in China where millions of phones using AOSP are sold every quarter.
Of course, the Nokia Normandy is still very much in the rumours stage, especially considering the overhanging possibility of Nokia’s deal with Microsoft. The cost of developing Normandy for Android will be very high, and Microsoft is unlikely to want to invest in developing an operating system that competes with Windows.
The deal between Microsoft and Nokia’s handset business is far from a done deal, though, and even if it did go ahead Nokia may be able to release Normandy prior to an agreement between the two companies.
(source)
