geeteam Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 The Android on Nokia story, which has been percolating ever since word first leaked out about a Nokia “Normandy” device, boiled over yesterday with a Wall Street Journal post reporting that Nokia is indeed planning to announce a Nokia device running Android at MWC (Bloomberg today says it’s more than one device, in fact).Nokia’s move to Android could be as a replacement for the OS on the Asha line of feature phones, which currently run a version of Nokia’s proprietary S40 mobile operating system. While the Wall Street Journal does not come right out and confirm that, they do hint at it:Another reason for the Nokia Android phone is Microsoft’s Windows Phone—currently the only operating system on Nokia’s higher-end Lumia smartphones—doesn’t work on low-cost phones because of the software’s technical requirements. Microsoft so far hasn’t been able to get its Windows Phone OS to work on feature phones. It has had pretty good success selling some of the low-end Lumias running the Windows Phone OS into emerging markets. But the Softies haven’t gotten the Windows Phone OS to work — as far as my sources have heard — on the Asha line. In another blog post spurred on by the Wall Street Journal post, Hal Berenson also reasons that Asha could be ripe for an Android makeover, and that it might not be so bad for Microsoft:Is this an ideal strategy for Microsoft? No. Is it a strategy they would have pursued themselves? No. Is it a strategy they could live with post-acquisition? Yes. Could they make lemonade from this strategic lemon? Yes! Will they? Well, that is yet to be seen. So Nokia is introducing Android as an S40 replacement, or so it seems. Whether that was part of a move to get Microsoft to soften its stance on tech requirements for the Windows Phone OS, a ploy to get Microsoft to buy the phones business to stop Android from happening (Berenson points out that if Asian regulators would have approved the MS/Nokia deal, Microsoft might have been able to quash the Android phone altogether), or a serious attempt to modernize the Asha line, the point is that from all indications a Nokia Android phone is about to happen. But the bigger question for Microsoft isn’t whether or not to continue to run Android on Asha, it’s whether or not to continue with Asha to begin with. Asha doesn’t run Windows Phone, doesn’t funnel emerging market users into a Microsoft ecosystem, doesn’t enhance Microsoft’s brand presence, and isn’t selling all that well to begin with. A Bloomberg post today insists that Microsoft needs low end devices:“Microsoft needs products for the low-end market and current Windows-based phones are not suitable for that because they are too expensive,” said Hannu Rauhala, an analyst at Pohjola Bank in Helsinki. Microsoft isn’t planning to build a long-term strategy around Android devices, one of the people said. Rather it may be planning to use the Nokia Android phones to bolster its sales in the lower end until it can produce Windows phones for that market segment, the person said. If Microsoft does indeed need Asha to move their devices and services strategy forward, then running it on Android may make the most sense. But rather than bolstering the Asha brand with Android, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Asha, and not just Asha on Android, have a short life at Microsoft. What is your view on this, let us know in the comments below Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myna Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Well I honestly think android on low end device is pretty much useless. Android 4.3 (or whatever) might run on 512MB RAM but that doesn't mean it'll run properly. Opening multiple tabs on your browser will freeze the OS. And its not only about the browser. Anything else will slow down the phone as well.I've never used any asha device but one thing I know is that the OS is optimised for low end hardwares. So most probably they'll always run fast than their android counterparts. Now if only they had multitasking (no idea about the fastlane thing. so I'm sorry if I'm wrong)The bottom line is, if I were low on budget I'd have definitely gone for a Asha device.I'd really wish MS to continue the asha line for the low end device and put up some decent midrange/highend android device.My reasons for choosing asha-Asha handsets will be much faster and smoother than low end android devices.You can't expect decent web browsing on either type of handsets, but at least asha handset won't freeze.I guess battery backup and talktime will be better on asha.Most of the social networking apps are already available on asha. If they aren't, the low end android won't do an justice to the app either. This is my personal view. I might look totally wrong to you, but that's ok. Everyone has their own opinion.So MS.... continue the asha lineup on the low-end devices and put android on a decent midrange handset (if not on high-end handsets) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeteam Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Well I honestly think android on low end device is pretty much useless. Android 4.3 (or whatever) might run on 512MB RAM but that doesn't mean it'll run properly. Opening multiple tabs on your browser will freeze the OS. And its not only about the browser. Anything else will slow down the phone as well.I've never used any asha device but one thing I know is that the OS is optimised for low end hardwares. So most probably they'll always run fast than their android counterparts. Now if only they had multitasking (no idea about the fastlane thing. so I'm sorry if I'm wrong)The bottom line is, if I were low on budget I'd have definitely gone for a Asha device.I'd really wish MS to continue the asha line for the low end device and put up some decent midrange/highend android device.My reasons for choosing asha-Asha handsets will be much faster and smoother than low end android devices.You can't expect decent web browsing on either type of handsets, but at least asha handset won't freeze.I guess battery backup and talktime will be better on asha.Most of the social networking apps are already available on asha. If they aren't, the low end android won't do an justice to the app either. This is my personal view. I might look totally wrong to you, but that's ok. Everyone has their own opinion.So MS.... continue the asha lineup on the low-end devices and put android on a decent midrange handset (if not on high-end handsets)Great Idea but i have some unanswered questions for you1. Do you think MS will have that time to still produce lower end Asha phones?2. And if MS should continue with the "so called Android lower end devices" what do you think about the pricing?3. And is anyone interested in lower end smartphones?4. Where should MS target with the lower end smartphones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
212eta Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 No bright future for the Windows Phone OS ? :uhuh: :nono: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeteam Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 No bright future for the Windows Phone OS ? :uhuh: :nono:So if you were to be part of MS team, what will you do to help? Switch to Android? or what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CODYQX4 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 (edited) . Edited April 28, 2019 by CODYQX4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myna Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 1. Yes, obviously. Its not like MS gonna do it on their own. Its Nokia that's doing the job. And they are still doing it. They have all the resourses and everything. Why would they drop the OS.!!! Its not like they're just starting the Asha series.2.As far as I'm concerned, lower end android is a no go. Why put Nokia's reputation on the line by putting up some sluggish lowerend android phones.3.No. Anyone that knows the use of smartphone will go for at least a midrange android phone. And people that doesn't care about the smart usage of a smartphone will go for a phone that works well. FB and whatsapp is all they want. and asha delivers on that.4.In the developing countries like India and.......**people who doesn't use the smartphone feature will only get frustrated by the sluggish interface of the low end android phone. And pretty soon they'll replace it with a phone that'll do the job fine.i love nokia. I'd love to see a decent midrange android device from them. But a low end android device with 512MB RAM !!! No No.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeteam Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Interesting, looking at the angle each and everyone of you is coming from.Frankly speaking, I will like to see WP's devices running still without Android(NO ANDROID :angry:) (else it gonna ruin it forever) Just like how it has done to the BB platform.MS & Nokia should to continue Windows development. and if they wanna move to Android, They should starting producing High end Android devices to compete with the HTC's , LG's, Sony and the rest... Nokia has got great camera feature - I wouldn't be surprise to that feature in higher end Android devices, Well its too early to judge, MWC is just around the corner, lets wait and see what Nokia and MS has for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
212eta Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 So if you were to be part of MS team, what will you do to help?Switch to Android?or what?I wouldn't work for a company like Microsoft in the first place.As far as for NOKIA, I feel sorry for them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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