Nokia reportedly shelves its Android device plans, shifts to smart wearables and wireless charging tech

posted by Daniel P.

Dec 16, 2013, 8:39 AM

Affordable Nokia Normandy with customized version of Android concept render

The site that leaked Nokia's "Asha with Android" plans, is now updating that those might have been shelved, after all. That's not to say Nokia hasn't been in the project knee-deep, as not only has it had several low-end Androids in the works, but also a cheap 7" tablet with a Snapdragon 400 processor. Nokia’s Peter Skillman, head of user interface design, has been in charge of forking Android and adapting its interface to phones like the Nokia Normandy, but that has apparently come to an end.

The reasons apparently have nothing to do with Microsoft, as it isn't acquiring the Asha line, but since for two years Nokia won't be able to sell handsets under its name, investing in Android device development is not feasible, considering that Microsoft will be getting the lion's share of pertinent resources.

Nokia is rather said to focus on wearables similar to Google Glass, and has reportedly had in its labs some sort of eye-control tech developed already, with Nokia augmented reality headwear claimed to be hitting retail in 2015. Besides those, the remains of Nokia's technical development office will be concentrating on graphene sensors, flexible screens, and wireless charging tech, so the Finns will manage to keep themselves occupied even when Microsoft snatches the Lumia department.

source: CTechCN via UnwiredView

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23 Comments

23. frmrVZguy

Posts: 42; Member since: Mar 10, 2012

Hey NOKIA You can still sell phones ... just call them Aikon, or buy China's NokLa brand. I have a NokLa fake e75 in the storage bin. Nice keyboard and touch screen too. ;)

posted on Dec 17, 2013, 11:07 AM 0

22. kindlefireowner

Posts: 504; Member since: Dec 05, 2011

Face it Fandroids, You got punk'd. You actually fell for that. Microsoft was not going to allow that, even with them getting paid.

posted on Dec 17, 2013, 6:35 AM 0

20. phoneguy

Posts: 213; Member since: Jan 08, 2009

Ms bought the entire device arm of Nokia. This includes Asha. What do I know though? I just work for Nokia.

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 9:48 PM 0

16. JerryTime

Posts: 468; Member since: Nov 09, 2013

Man i would drool over a Nokia Android phone, this is so depressing. Oh well i guess patience is still a virtue.

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 10:31 AM 2

19. ihavenoname

Posts: 1693; Member since: Aug 18, 2013

Some day, my friend, some day...

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 2:11 PM 1

13. tadaa

Posts: 267; Member since: Apr 18, 2013

why do you keep saying asha won't be acquired by MS? It's stated in their deal that MS gets both asha and lumia lines of devices. unless there were changes to the deal i would assume you didn't read its terms like a proper online journalist should

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 9:59 AM 2

15. lorenzattractor unregistered

That's exactly what I was thinking. I thought the Asha lineup was part of the deal.

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 10:02 AM 0

17. tasior

Posts: 265; Member since: Nov 04, 2012

I agree. According to what I read the only phone department, that stays in Nokias hands is the feature phone series, like 105, 208, etc. Shelf below Asha series...

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 11:49 AM 0

12. james.blunt.1973

Posts: 41; Member since: Dec 15, 2013

Ugly handset, better die anyway...

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 9:41 AM 0

11. mottykels

Posts: 387; Member since: May 15, 2013

Poor Nokia :(

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 9:40 AM 2

18. PhansMuneeb

Posts: 371; Member since: Jan 28, 2012

Wearables reinvented :) Wherever Nokia goes innovation will always be their first goal.

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 12:06 PM 0

9. CEMIII

Posts: 110; Member since: Jun 26, 2013

Ahh poor guys all you Android fans did nothing but brag about the quality of Samsung & nothing else could touch them. Now Noika is finally in the running & y'all are fusing because y'all are admitting that they make a better device and want it. This is what we were saying all along when it came to WP's. All we wanted were same build & quality just a different OEM. Don't worry though Samsung has your back & WP's in 2014. Nokia will have Androids back as well, just give them 2-3 years. Show the LOVE. I'm a WP fan man but I just got my wife the S4 nice device (guts) but the housing is cheap.

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 9:30 AM 0

3. adecvat

Posts: 670; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

So ... to the ground, nokia.

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 8:52 AM 1

5. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

What does the Elop say? Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money. What does the Ballmer say? Woo! Come on..., developers, developers, developers, developers and Windows to my underpants!

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 9:01 AM 0

8. ihavenoname

Ballmer at Microsoft: "We don't have any good developers, developers, developers..."

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 9:29 AM 0

1. xperiaDROID

Ma ma mia! So, no hopes on Nokia Android phones anymore? Damn, Trojan Flop and Money Mortimer ruined everyone's dream phone.

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 8:48 AM 7

2. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

In other words, no hope for Nokia anymore?

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 8:52 AM 2

4. xperiaDROID

There's still hope for Nokia, because Nokia will make a comeback in the next few years.

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 8:55 AM 2

10. ihavenoname

Nokia, when you make Android Phones, be ready to shut up and take my money!

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 9:30 AM 3

14. GrndsKeeprWillie

Posts: 14; Member since: Jul 15, 2013

They could have been someone. You can the slow road or the fast road and yes, yes touch screens a bad idea as well

6. LordDavon

Posts: 184; Member since: Sep 19, 2011

I don't think this means never. It just means we won't see them for another couple years.

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 9:07 AM 1

7. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

We can all blame M$ for the coompetition against Android OS. Still would love to have A NOKIA ANDROID phone that will be the only handset i will buy from them

posted on Dec 16, 2013, 9:15 AM 4

21. CradleVindicated

Posts: 11; Member since: Sep 26, 2013

If only they are using android platform. I think Samsung and Apple will be shake on the top. Hardware is their specialty but it was forgotten because of focusing in very boring WP OS. Nokia will be a small player in smartphone market if they will not change their trend.