The Transport Guy: Nokia Has Three New Android Phones, And It's Pretty Clear Microsoft Is Upset About That

Steve Kovach February 24, 2014 at 01:15AM

Nokia announced three new Android phones under the "Nokia X" brand at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona today, a departure from its heavy reliance on Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 operating system.

The move was surprising since Microsoft is in the process of acquiring Nokia's phone and tablet business in a $7.2 billion deal that should finalize early this year.

And it's clear Microsoft isn't too happy with Nokia's decision to go Android.

When rumors started swirling about Nokia's Android phone a few weeks ago, one Microsoft insider told us the move was "embarrassing."

During a press conference at MWC on Saturday, Joe Belfiore, Microsoft's corporate vice president of Windows Phone, commented on Nokia's Android devices in front of a room full of reporters and analysts.

"They'll do some things we're excited about, and some things we're less excited about," Belfiore said when asked about Nokia's Android ambitions.

It was pretty clear he was talking about Android.

Nokia's Android phones are a bit different than your typical Android phone though. The devices run heavily modified software and don't have access to Google services like Google Maps, Gmail, and the Google Play Store for apps. Instead, the Nokia X phones are packed with Microsoft services like Outlook, Skype, and the online storage service OneDrive. They'll have a separate app store for Android apps.

Nokia's former CEO Stephen Elop — who will join Microsoft once the acquisition goes through — announced the Nokia X phones today and explained that they will act as an affordable gateway to Microsoft's Windows Phones and other services. The cheapest Nokia X phone will cost about $120 U.S. and sell in "emerging markets" where most people still use regular feature phones. Nokia sees this as a good thing for Microsoft in the long run.

But there's a problem with that reasoning. Nokia already makes Windows Phones that sell for ~$100, and those devices are very popular. The Nokia Lumia 520, a budget-friendly Windows Phone, is said to be the top-selling device in its category.

The big question on everyone's mind: Once the Nokia acquisition goes through, will Microsoft allow Nokia to continue making Android phones?

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Nokia Has Three New Android Phones, And It's Pretty Clear Microsoft Is Upset About That from Business Insider: Steve Kovach