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Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

bbc.com

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Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#101

Post by pmelendez »

amrrs wrote: post #60
higherpurpose wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which makes Microsoft's strategy all the more confusing. At least if they decided to use a fork of Android for sub-$100 devices, then it would be one thing. But they're mixing it up with no clear vision. The only reason they are continuing to make them is because they got a lot of press for it, because a lot of people wanted "Lumia with real Android" - and most tech sites thought: "Not Lumia...and with a bad clone of…

Yes. No strategy at all. They want to sell everything. Just Sales figures? That qualifying factor won't let them survive in market for a long time. They need Strategy. If WP is their vision, they should just stick to it. Launching forked Android might be okay for Amazon, but for MSFT, if they keep on doing this and that too at this low cost, they are marketing for Google!

I agree but keep in mind that this phone was already done even before they launched WP's Lumias. So what they are doing is not killing an initiative that started at Nokia.

I don't like the idea but I can see how this is consistent with the new Microsoft view of being more open.

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#102

Post by pjc50 »

trentmb wrote: post #19
dm2 wrote: 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 doesn't the European Union and the UK just adopt the US dollar?

Effectively this is what the Bretton Woods system was. It has the limitation that states then have to maintain a neutral balance of payments (imports+investment in = exports+investment out). This turns out to be much harder than it sounds, especially in a world of expensive post 1971 oil and even more so given post 2005 oil prices.

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#103

Post by bunderbunder »

What this says to me as a developer in the Microsoft ecosystem (admittedly, enterprise side and not mobile):

"Four years ago we had you writing all your apps using Silverlight. Two years ago we chucked that out the window (ahahahaha) and told you to switch over to WinRT. Now we're going Android. We hope you've got the message by now. But in case you haven't, let us restate it in plain English: Dear developers, GO THE @$#!% AWAY."

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#104

Post by hga »

random28345 wrote: post #100
hga wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But 5 years ago it was axiomatic that Microsoft would throw such a system away, and replace it with something underwhelming. In this case, the Kin, a total disaster. We're now seeing that Microsoft may be starting to rid itself of the platform tax that's crippled so many of their efforts. In the case of the Kin, that even included Exchange support, which wasn't a desiderata for its market (and to make things worse, t…

> But 5 years ago it was axiomatic that Microsoft would throw such a system away, and replace it with something underwhelming. Is not not axiomatic that the Nokia Android phone is a temporary thing? They aren't trying to build a line of Android phones, they are trying to retain market share as a phone manufacturer until Windows Phone is more successful. Either Windows Phone becomes a solid 3rd place Smartphone OS, an…

We're seeing hints it's no longer axiomatic.

But I'll agree the long term outcomes you sketch out are likely. The article itself indicated this phone is in part intended to get you to later buy a higher grade and branded Windows Phone.

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#105

Post by pling »

bunderbunder wrote: post #103

What this says to me as a developer in the Microsoft ecosystem (admittedly, enterprise side and not mobile): "Four years ago we had you writing all your apps using Silverlight. Two years ago we chucked that out the window (ahahahaha) and told you to switch over to WinRT. Now we're going Android. We hope you've got the message by now. But in case you haven't, let us restate it in plain English: Dear developers, GO THE…

It doesn't say that to me. It says: "Nokia baggage". That is all.

Either way, I'm not writing another damn mobile app or picking up another damn smartphone again. It's all totally crazy bananas now. I'd rather write win32 again with a broken-ass compiler.

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#106

Post by leejoramo »

brudgers wrote: post #72
DCKing wrote: 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…

Microsoft's roots are contrary to characture in popular culture - they sold and developed for Unix throughout the 1980's. It's big and corporate, but it's still a company founded as a software startup and always dogfooding its way into new products.

And don't forget Excel, Word and PowerPoint all started as early Mac apps. (Yes, there was Word and MultiPlan for DOS before, but the Windows versions are more directly descended from the Mac). And of course, MS Basic ran on many platforms.

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#107

Post by ewzimm »

spinchange wrote: post #58

It seems like Microsoft and Amazon are not getting the real benefit of this platform by excluding the Google Play store from their versions of the Android experience. I guess it's understandable why they're doing that, it's just bad for users. Are there some kind of licensing terms that prevent them from shipping forks like this with the Google Play store as one of two app stores available? Would they have to make th…

Yes, Google requires making their search and services default and allows only superficial Android modifications for anyone who wants to distribute Google Play Services.

Reference: http://www.androidbeat.com/2014/02/android-open-google-certi...

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#108

Post by ewzimm »

higherpurpose wrote: post #7

This has even fewer apps than WP8, let alone the "real" Android. I don't see why anyone would want this.

You are not limited to the included app store. Just like with FireOS, you can install shops like 1mobile and f-droid.

http://www.1mobile.com/

https://f-droid.org/

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#109

Post by zanny »

bunderbunder wrote: post #103

What this says to me as a developer in the Microsoft ecosystem (admittedly, enterprise side and not mobile): "Four years ago we had you writing all your apps using Silverlight. Two years ago we chucked that out the window (ahahahaha) and told you to switch over to WinRT. Now we're going Android. We hope you've got the message by now. But in case you haven't, let us restate it in plain English: Dear developers, GO THE…

I think the real message is:

"Hey, we're a company. We have things. That doesn't mean users use our things, or that developing for said things is going make you money or a userbase. That requires looking at the market and seeing where users are."

They create the supply side. If there is no demand, blindly working in their tools is just a silly mistake. I think it has been plainly demonstrated nothing Windows Phone offers entices the mobile market away from Android en masse at this point.

Re: Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset

#110

Post by zanny »

DCKing wrote: post #55
higherpurpose wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Moto E has roughly the same specs (some better, some worse): http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_e_dual_sim-6323.php Just because you're not looking, doesn't mean they don't exist.

> Just because you're not looking, doesn't mean they don't exist. Did I say really say that? And was that jab really necessary? I'm well aware of the Moto E. It's definitely a competitor to this phone, but it's likely more expensive.

This phone has the same launch price. If one sees a price drop, the other is likely to as well. You can get the Moto E for $130 on Amazon right now as well.
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