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Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

bbc.com

21–30 of 154 posts

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#21
Microsoft really needs to get back on that path of completely changing the game in the mobile realm. I don't know if this is the start, but its sure as hell better than releasing the same thing slightly updated over and over again (Don't mimic Apple with this strategy, it won't work for you MSFT)

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#22
post #17

"It will cost 99 euro ($135; £80) when released in July." Is that the price with a 2-year contract or is this going to be a great value phone? Will I be able to wipe this phone and install stock Android? Skype, Outlook, Bing, and all that other MS crap is unwanted. I'm actually a MS supporter and understand the need for them to create all of those services but I personally don't/won't use them. Also, why are UK citiz…

Why are the US against adopting the Euro?

I'm only partially joking there. The Euro has had large amounts of turmoil in the past three years which has involved large bailouts of some countries. The inevitable path appears to be closer alignment of fiscal policy (including taxation and public spending) which is sovereignty that the UK public is opposed to giving up. There's a strong anti-EU sentiment in the UK with a significant proportion in favour of the UK leaving the EU.

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#23
post #17

"It will cost 99 euro ($135; £80) when released in July." Is that the price with a 2-year contract or is this going to be a great value phone? Will I be able to wipe this phone and install stock Android? Skype, Outlook, Bing, and all that other MS crap is unwanted. I'm actually a MS supporter and understand the need for them to create all of those services but I personally don't/won't use them. Also, why are UK citiz…

Because money with the Queen's head on is innately more stylish.

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#24
post #15

Microsoft releases a phone running Android, Microsoft releases hardware running Linux, pigs are flying and hell is freezing over etc etc. The real news is that this is not just an Android phone, it's a really good Android phone. It has a front facing camera, a decent SoC, enough RAM, what appears to be an IPS display (according to some sources), likely very decent build quality, and a price that is likely to dip belo…

so people see Tiles and Cost - same Tiles but cheap cost - Chuck WP phones and go with X devices :P

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#26

Look at the pseudo-win-phone interface on that X2. It looks what it is: an imitation of another phone.. also it's blatantly confusing for users who will now see what appears to be a windows phone interface but be unable to use windows phone apps. Odd strategy.

The strategy makes more sense when you consider this originated from Nokia. Nokia had three lines of products: feature phones, the mid range and then Lumia. The mid range was problematic. The phones could not compete with low end Android phones, because the operating system was getting outdated. On the other hand Nokia's Linux projects (Maemo/Meego and then Meltemi) had failed or were driven down to save money. Windows Phone had it's limitations on hardware support and probably Microsoft did not want to take it to low end devices. So they needed something and they ended up on Android. Skinning the phone to look like Windows Phone made it feel like part of the larger product family. In future it would have then been easier to get the users to migrate to low end Windows Phones. Maybe there was also a "political" twist. Nokia was negotiating with Microsoft about the sale of the mobile phones unit. Maybe it put more pressure on Microsoft when they saw that Nokia was moving towards Android.

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#27

I don't have an issue with Microsoft releasing an android phone. My issue is that this phone has 1gb ram and front facing camera for the price of Lumia 520. I'll need to fork out at least twice that amount to get the equivalent hardware spec in windows phone.

20 times this. Sounds like they're already burying Windows Phone (which would really suck, since it's way better than Android IMO, especially since 8.1).

I doubt they are burying it, I rather assume they are just going to continue with it - and I think this phone is an indicator of a business strategy to simply expand, not only by using android but also by using the name 'Nokia' which still means a lot.

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#28
post #15

Microsoft releases a phone running Android, Microsoft releases hardware running Linux, pigs are flying and hell is freezing over etc etc. The real news is that this is not just an Android phone, it's a really good Android phone. It has a front facing camera, a decent SoC, enough RAM, what appears to be an IPS display (according to some sources), likely very decent build quality, and a price that is likely to dip belo…

Except it doesn't have the Google Play store or Play Services, so it's not going to appeal to the usual Android user. As someone who uses Windows Phone, I keep scratching my head wondering why Microsoft even bothers.

I'm not suggesting it appeals to the Android user at all, it appeals to the prospective smartphone user. As long as you can install basic messaging apps on these things (which you can), this is a really good deal.

This is a market segment which can also easily be filled by Windows Phone - it's probably even better for that. That I also find baffling. Windows Phone doesn't seem to be compatible with the particular SoC used in this device, but that is a problem Microsoft should be able to fix...

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#30
post #17

"It will cost 99 euro ($135; £80) when released in July." Is that the price with a 2-year contract or is this going to be a great value phone? Will I be able to wipe this phone and install stock Android? Skype, Outlook, Bing, and all that other MS crap is unwanted. I'm actually a MS supporter and understand the need for them to create all of those services but I personally don't/won't use them. Also, why are UK citiz…

Beacuse, at the moment, the Great British Pound is exactly that. It's stronger than the euro, it's regulated by britan and it is minted in the royal mint. Long live the queen (or something like that)
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