Nokia X [Formally Normandy] Android OS

Francie Barrett

A bit late to the party, but it looks like Nokia are doing their own heavily customized version of Android! No specs out just yet, rumoured to go live at MWC.



See more here, http://www.knowyourmobile.com/nokia/nokia-normandy/21557/what-nokias-normandy-project-its-android-jim-not-we-know-it

Gran Hermano

Rumours on hardware spec look like it is a low end phone on the hardware side.
4 GB storage (with micro SD slot) plus 512mb of RAM
http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/16/5315518/nokia-android-phone-windows-phone-ui-rumor

projectgtr

Been watching this unfold, i hope it is android but theres also talk of it being an OS for their Asha line. It is supposed to be a lower end phone but the Moto G has changed that class so it better bring something new to the table

Francie Barrett

projectgtr wrote: »

Been watching this unfold, i hope it is android but theres also talk of it being an OS for their Asha line. It is supposed to be a lower end phone but the Moto G has changed that class so it better bring something new to the table

It's defo an Android, I reckon they will kill Asha as it has not done well at all.

Nyum Nyum

Personally, I think that looks disgusting.

Alpha Dog 1

Nokia Android phone with a windows phone launcher! Not sure this will end well.

Don't Microsoft now own Nokia's phone division? Very Surprised if they are releasing phones that aren't windows based.

marcbrophy

I'm pretty surprised at MS too, but maybe it was their only way at taking a punt at Android, whilst still saving face about WP8.

If it is Android as we know it, it's just a launcher and can easily be replaced. Hardware is the biggest selling point for most people who like Androids, as we all know cheap and low spec devices = bad experience of Android.

Dudda

Alpha Dog 1 wrote: »

Nokia Android phone with a windows phone launcher! Not sure this will end well.

Don't Microsoft now own Nokia's phone division? Very Surprised if they are releasing phones that aren't windows based.

Microsoft still don't technically own Nokia. It still needs government approval.

It almost looks like Nokia are rushing to get this out before the purchase is official and Microsoft gain control as we can all imagine what would happen this project then.

dulpit

Way too late to the party if you ask me. I think back to the likes of the Nokia N97 or similar, and think if they had taken hardware like that with a pure android experience, you'd be laughing. Even the current lumia hardware devices are lovely, but this mangled version of android (as per screen shots) makes me sad.

Low end phones (as previously stated) have now changed with the Moto G, they'll need an awful lot more than what's been released so far to make it anyway intriguing.

I did also think that Nokia were out of the smartphone business for a while?

Venom

Way to little and way to late. Customizing Android like Samsung and HTC do is one thing where it's only different looking widgets for the most part, but to alter the OS as much as Nokia seem to have done is just to much.

Wonder if its more a of a case like Blackberry sideloading apps than a full Android OS? The Moto G has also raised the bar on budget phones so hign the Nokia phone really looks to have an unwinnable uphill battle.

The_B_Man

Maybe get ppl to buy the Nokia Android and get used to Metro UI, so then push them towards WP8 where they'll already be familiar with the interface so it wont be that much of a leap to move over?

advertsfox

The_B_Man wrote: »

Maybe get ppl to buy the Nokia Android and get used to Metro UI, so then push them towards WP8 where they'll already be familiar with the interface so it wont be that much of a leap to move over?

jimmynokia

Asha 2.0

Francie Barrett

jimmynokia wrote: »

Asha 2.0

Leaked screenshots have it running Android apps.

jimmynokia

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Leaked screenshots have it running Android apps.

Android? Show us how it's Android then.

Professey Chin

jimmynokia wrote: »

Android? Show us how it's Android then.

Look at the applications. BBM, Plants & Zombies, Facebook. Theyre all the Android icons.
Its a heavily forked version of android similar to what Amazon have done with the Kindle Fire range

jimmynokia

So you thinks it's Android because of what you see, you are a clever boy.

Professey Chin

jimmynokia wrote: »

So you thinks it's Android because of what you see, you are a clever boy.

I think its android based on what I see and every single report in tech media about it.

Android
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_Normandy

Android
http://www.gsmarena.com/screenshots_reveal_nokia_normandy_user_interface-news-7583.php

Android
http://www.stuff.tv/nokia/nokia-normandy/review

Android
http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/nokia-normandys-custom-android-ui-purportedly-leaked-in-screenshots-472143

Android
http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/13/rumored-nokia-normandy-prototype-surfaces-on-twitter-reveals-li/

Android
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2014/01/11/why-microsoft-windows-phone-should-adopt-nokia-normandy-android-smartphone-handset/

Android
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-13/hardware/46148455_1_handset-lumia-asha-phones

Android
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/nokias-version-of-android-looks-sleek-in-leaked-pics-50013187/

Android
http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/10/5197746/nokia-android-phone-normandy

Android
http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2014/01/nokias-alleged-normandy-android-phone-leaks/

Now politely blow your sarcasm out your ass "clever boy"

jimmynokia

Professey Chin wrote: »

I think its android based on what I see and every single report in tech media about it.

Android
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_Normandy

Android
http://www.gsmarena.com/screenshots_reveal_nokia_normandy_user_interface-news-7583.php

Android
http://www.stuff.tv/nokia/nokia-normandy/review

Android
http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/nokia-normandys-custom-android-ui-purportedly-leaked-in-screenshots-472143

Android
http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/13/rumored-nokia-normandy-prototype-surfaces-on-twitter-reveals-li/

Android
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2014/01/11/why-microsoft-windows-phone-should-adopt-nokia-normandy-android-smartphone-handset/

Android
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-13/hardware/46148455_1_handset-lumia-asha-phones

Android
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/nokias-version-of-android-looks-sleek-in-leaked-pics-50013187/

Android
http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/10/5197746/nokia-android-phone-normandy

Android
http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2014/01/nokias-alleged-normandy-android-phone-leaks/

Now politely blow your sarcasm out your ass "clever boy"

You forgot the one will Normandy ever see the light of day, glad to see you did some homework, good boy.

Francie Barrett

Nokia Normandy popping up in browser benchmarks as an Android device. It looks like Nokia have taken the Amazon approach as I suspected, stripping out Google services and adding their own UI layer.

http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_x_aka_normandy_pops_up_on_browsermarks_database-news-7686.php

I see that Lumia sales collapsed over 2013 Q4, so it would certainly make sense for Microsoft to at least consider Android now that is has become the de facto mobile platform.

dulpit

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Nokia Normandy popping up in browser benchmarks as an Android device. It looks like Nokia have taken the Amazon approach as I suspected, stripping out Google services and adding their own UI layer.

Good to see Nokia haven't learned from their mistakes :pac:

long_b

jimmynokia wrote: »

You forgot the one will Normandy ever see the light of day, glad to see you did some homework, good boy.

Poster got you bang to rights and you come back with that. Nice one.

Francie Barrett

More news on this - http://www.gsmarena.com/benchmark_shows_3mp_camera_for_the_nokia_x_normandy_-news-7763.php

Looks to be Android 4.1 with Nokia customizations. Will be marketed as an Asha, presumably for emerging markets.

Professey Chin

And confirmed. 3 different variants running a heavily customised Android 4.1

http://www.engadget.com/2014/02/24/nokia-announces-the-x-its-first-android-phone/

http://www.engadget.com/2014/02/24/nokia-x-hands-on/

PrzemoF

I can't stop laughing! So, when EU approve MS buying Nokia
we will see MS selling linux based devices!

P.S. We are linux. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile

Francie Barrett

Someone looks a little silly now - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=86376375&postcount=34

jimmynokia wrote:

I just wish certain steve litchfeild fans would move on take symbian and the idea of nokia going android with them ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

Francie Barrett

PrzemoF wrote: »

I can't stop laughing! So, when EU approve MS buying Nokia
we will see MS selling linux based devices!

P.S. We are linux. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile

There's no way that Microsoft weren't involved in this Android phone. For Nokia to integrate with Bing, Skype and Skydrive and other Microsoft services, it would have required Microsoft working directly with Nokia on the Android OS.

If you ask me, this phone is Microsoft quietly dipping their toe into Android. If the whole thing fails, Microsoft can simply say it was a Nokia initiative.

jester77

Total joke of an effort. Really shows how big of a mistake Nokia made by not going with Android originally and now that MS control them, they have their hands tied. They are in a lose/lose situation here, stuck with a failing MS OS and unable to implement a proper Android OS. It's sad to see.

There will probably be a lot of ignorant people who will fall for the Nokia+Android marketing, buy the device and turn it on only to realise they can't use the apps all other Android devices have.

Professey Chin

The one good thing to come out of this is an Android version of Nokia Drive. Wonder how long before people have it running on all devices :pac:

Sonics2k

jimmynokia wrote: »

You forgot the one will Normandy ever see the light of day, glad to see you did some homework, good boy.

What were you saying again?

dulpit

As Paul O'Brien (MoDaCo) pointed out on twitter this morning, what's far more interesting from these phones is not the hardware themselves (too little, too late Nokia), but more getting Nokia apps running on all other Android phones.

somebody_else

Hi Guys

Quick look at it:
XL version

and quick compare:
http://www.nokia.com/global/products/compare/?action=productcompareaction&products=3386852-3385696-3389538#environment

Tom

jester77

somebody_else wrote: »

Hi Guys

Quick look at it:
XL version

and quick compare:
http://www.nokia.com/global/products/compare/?action=productcompareaction&products=3386852-3385696-3389538#environment

Tom

That is one ugly interface, looks like a scroll nightmare that would make your eyes bleed. What where they ever thinking of

somebody_else

Yeah

IT looks like WP 8 or 8.1

If You have few aps it's ok (I'm using Lumia like launcher myself) but with more it is messy.

Tom

long_b

Well ... I will be all over.the Nokia XL when it launches.
Perfect as a second phone - especially if , like me, your main phone is WP.

Someone on Twitter confirmed that it runs Dolphin and Chrome browsers OK.

Don't know of anyone mentioned it already but it runs about 70%.of Android apps out of the box. Ones.that aren't too tightly integrated with the big G's services.

BionicRasher

long_b wrote: »

Well ... I will be all over.the Nokia XL when it launches.
Perfect as a second phone - especially if , like me, your main phone is WP.

Someone on Twitter confirmed that it runs Dolphin and Chrome browsers OK.

Don't know of anyone mentioned it already but it runs about 70%.of Android apps out of the box. Ones.that aren't too tightly integrated with the big G's services.

I dont get it - if its Android it should run 100% of the apps - why are they locking it down
doomed to fail I think

jester77

BionicRasher wrote: »

I dont get it - if its Android it should run 100% of the apps - why are they locking it down
doomed to fail I think

My theory is that Windows OS is unable to run on low powered devices and MS/Nokia are losing out big time to this market. And they are unable to compete with Samsung and Apple at the upper end. So this is their attempt to break into budget end of the market. Android can run on low powered devices, so they create a bastardised Android version that run their own apps and put a similar skin to windows OS on it.

I don't see any other way it can make sense.

Dudda

BionicRasher wrote: »

I dont get it - if its Android it should run 100% of the apps - why are they locking it down
doomed to fail I think

Google can introduce API's which developers use two ways. It can be in a new version of Android like moving from 4.3 to 4.4 or it can be in an update to Google Play Services.

Google is introducing a lot of API's that run through it's Play Services so apps that use these API's won't work on forked versions of Android or will need to be ported to work. The 70% will probably reduce further over time as Google introduces more API's through it's Play Services. It does this as it's easier to get new features out to all users rather than waiting for manufactures to push out updates to the OS which rarely happens. A typical example of a new one would be chromecast which had the public API rolled out to all Android Phones in the update to the Google Play Services. This would have taken ages if every user had to update the version of Android. If an app uses the chromecast api it's unlikely to work on a forked version of Android.

It's not Nokia's or Amazon's (kindle fire) fault as they don't have these API's and you can't blame Google too much either as it would take ages to update everyone to the latest Android OS to get new services out to people.

beauf

jester77 wrote: »

My theory is that Windows OS is unable to run on low powered devices and MS/Nokia are losing out big time to this market. And they are unable to compete with Samsung and Apple at the upper end. So this is their attempt to break into budget end of the market. Android can run on low powered devices, so they create a bastardised Android version that run their own apps and put a similar skin to windows OS on it.

I don't see any other way it can make sense.

Where are you getting that from? WP is better than Android at the low end?

http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/nokia-520-outsold-all-android-phones-in-the-uk-in-december

http://www.wpcentral.com/nokias-affordable-lumia-520-range-storm-amazon-best-sellers-chart

jester77

beauf wrote: »

Where are you getting that from? WP is better than Android at the low end?

http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/nokia-520-outsold-all-android-phones-in-the-uk-in-december

http://www.wpcentral.com/nokias-affordable-lumia-520-range-storm-amazon-best-sellers-chart

It was just a theory of mine. I was trying to find a logical explanation to what they have done. But your links dispels that theory and make their decision even more dumbfounding

Professey Chin

jester77 wrote: »

It was just a theory of mine. I was trying to find a logical explanation to what they have done. But your links dispels that theory and make their decision even more dumbfounding

Their decision is their own platform hasnt made a dent so to get their services in use, theyre trying to leech off the most successful platform in the hope that people will prefer Microsofts services to Googles. Blackberry tried a similar thing with the Android runtime and failed. Amazon used it very successfully but the Kindle brand was already really popular. Nokia arent that popular anymore and have really underpowered their offering. It'll run a lot of apps but I bet a massive amount will run like complete crap.
Plus when upgrade time comes the decision will have to be made. Do I prefer my apps or the services?

beauf

Nokia failed for years to learn from their failure with Nokia Store and their own app store. TBH its looks like the same people are still there and are doomed to repeat their past mistakes. They should concentrate on the hardware, and produce a stock android device, or very light skin like the moto. THis isn't Rocket science, but some people just can't make things simple. It looks those guys, or that mentality are still influential at Nokia.

Venom

beauf wrote: »

Nokia failed for years to learn from their failure with Nokia Store and their own app store. TBH its looks like the same people are still there and are doomed to repeat their past mistakes. They should concentrate on the hardware, and produce a stock android device, or very light skin like the moto. THis is Rocket science, but some people just can't make things simple. It looks those guys, or that mentality are still influential at Nokia.

This.

Nokia has nearly always gotten the hardware side of things right on there phones. Sadly this hardware then gets turned over to drooling mouth breathing retards who proceed to make a clusterfcuk of the software.

How many years now has Nokia continued to use crap smart phone operating systems such as Symbian, Meego and now this awful hybrid of Android that haven't and won't get any support from the dev community at large.

BionicRasher

So maybe the title of the thread should be changed to
Nokia X..... Almost Android but not really.

Sir Oxman

That looks bloody awful.

irishchris

Looks like they are getting the app community behind them already. Big plus that viber will come preinstalled in this series.

http://www.wpxbox.com/viber-come-pre-installed-nokia-x-series-phones/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Wpxbox+(WPXBOX)

Sadly for me I would need a full android os on a daily basis but for the wife this will make an ideal phone for a very reasonable price.

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

BionicRasher

irishchris wrote: »

Looks like they are getting the app community behind them already. Big plus that viber will come preinstalled in this series.

but anyone can install Viber - its free and seems to be available on any device already
Whats the advantage of having it pre installed?

irishchris wrote: »

Sadly for me I would need a full android os on a daily basis but for the wife this will make an ideal phone for a very reasonable price.

What price is this phone going to be?
for €149 you can get the Moto G which is 100 times better than this attempt by Nokia

beauf

jacksie66 wrote: »

Meego was pretty good IMO. Just never got a chance..

Theres a decent argument that Nokia should have stuck to Meego instead of going with MS.

They stuck with S60 way too long. Then there was about 6~12 months where there were hardly any Nokia's in the shops. Took too long to get the Nokia 800 out. Thats what really killed them right there.

beauf

There a piece on it here

http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/25/5445150/why-is-nokia-making-android-phones

I think Mokia risk damaging the momentum of the low end windows phones. Which could be fatal for WP.

White Heart Loon

Has anyone mentioned that Microsoft already make lots of money from Android, it's in their interest that Nokia dip their toes in the water