Normandy, Nokia Android smartphone

The acquisition of Nokia's mobile business by Microsoft, the project of Android smartphone would not be abandoned and could emerge next year.

It was an open secret but rumor becomes an almost certainty. Nokia actually working on a model of smartphone running a "forke" Android in the way of what Amazon does with the Kindle tablet release. This model whose photos were leaked via Twitter by @ evleaks looks a bit like the Lumia models, but this prototype is intended to replace the Asha range, which operates under a home operating system begins to show its age. The model has two code names: "normandy" or "AoL" (Asha on Linux) and have survived the proposed acquisition of the Lumia and Asha range by Microsoft show, information confirmed by sources the Finnish manufacturer.

Microsoft running Android

But the most surprising is that this project could be sued by Microsoft, says our colleague Ina Fried. Indeed, the "look and feel" of the interface developed by Nokia look like much more than the current Windows Phone interface Asha models. In addition, by launching its own model of entry-level Android, it would be a way for Microsoft to provide its services as Skype Bing or more supported natively, which is not the case in models marketed. Ina Fried says "this is seen by some at Microsoft as a more acceptable alternative rather than see more primo smartphone buyers enlist not only Android but also the range of applications offered by Google." 

She added that the first Normandy devices are currently undergoing testing and could be launched next year.