Why Microsoft might actually release an Android phone

[geeteam]

Nokia’s “Normandy” Android handset has become something of a curiosity for many smartphone fans who see it as a “what-could-have-been” for Nokia if it had decided to not go exclusively with Windows Phone. ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley, however, thinks that Nokia’s Android phone is more than just a novelty, however — it might be a hint of what’s to come from future Microsoft phones now that it’s on the cusp of buying Nokia’s handset division.

Why in the world would Microsoft release an Android phone, you ask? As Foley explains, a heavily modified Android that incorporates a lot of Windows Phone’s design choices and that prominently features many of Microsoft’s mobile apps might be a great way of gaining a foothold into some emerging markets.

“Microsoft wants to be a devices and services company,” Foley explains. “If you buy a handset that runs at least some Microsoft services and apps, Microsoft is guaranteed to earn at least some revenues from that transaction. If a user foregoes Windows Phone as it stands now in favor of an iPhone or Android phone, Microsoft will likely make far less from that potential customer. Of course, Microsoft’s preference would be for that handset to be all Microsoft, with a pure version of Windows Phone OS inside. But an Android core with Microsoft apps and services is the next best thing, isn’t it?”

This actually does make quite a bit of sense. Google has shown no qualms about bringing its services to iOS devices and BlackBerry has recently declared that it wants iOS and Android users as BlackBerry customers as well. The only company that doesn’t widely distribute most of its apps across different platforms is Apple but we sort of doubt that iOS Maps would be a hit in rival app stores if it ever released there.

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[calguyhunk]

Anybody who thinks the so called Normandy will give you an idea of 'what could have been' with Nokia and Android is an idiot IMO. It's just a low cost device with low end specs which will - even if it's released - replace the Asha series - not compete with the Lumia series on even terms. :(

What-could-have-been will be a Lumia 1520/1020 ported with Pure Android Plus the Nokia Camera app :yes: Now I'll sell the car to buy that. Well, alright maybe not, but you get the drift. :P

[geeteam]

Well lets wait till March, I don't know on what basis you are saying that.