Microsoft Announces Forked-Android Nokia X2 In Bid To Spread Services

Microsoft has launched its first ever Android-powered smartphone in the form of the mid-range dual-SIM Nokia X2, which aims to extend the reach of Microsoft services such as Bing and Skype by targeting emerging markets.

The Nokia X2, which uses a forked version of the Google operating system with Microsoft applications heavily promoted, is the successor to the original Nokia X, which was unveiled at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.

However this is the first smartphone in the range to be launched since Microsoft completed its £4.6 billion takeover of Nokia’s handset business earlier this year.

Nokia X2

The Nokia X2 is similar to its predecessor, but is more powerful, has a slightly larger 4.3-inch display and adds a new home button which complements the home and back buttons for faster navigation and multitasking.

The device is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 1GB of RAM and has 4GB of storage that can be expanded by up to 32GB through a MicroSD card slot. There’s also a 5 megapixel rear camera and front-facing VGA lens for Skype.

The exterior of the X2 is also similar, but there is now an additional translucent layer, while a number of software tweaks make it easier to cycle through applications. Microsoft applications such as Skype, Outlook and OneDrive come preloaded, while others, such as Yammer, Xbox games and Bing can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

Of course, Android applications can also be downloaded, but don’t expect to be able to install software from Google Play.

“People around the world have really embraced our Nokia X family of devices, for example in India we are the number three best-selling smartphone and we’re also top sellers in many countries such as Russia, Nigeria, Kenya and Pakistan,” says Jussi Nevanlinna, Vice President, Product Marketing, Mobile Phones at Microsoft.

Microsoft’s decision to continue with the Nokia X project following its takeover of the Finnish manufacturer has raised some eyebrows given the fact that both firms have been pushing Windows Phone, which has enjoyed some success in the mid-range market.

However Microsoft says the Nokia X range forms part of a wider strategy to get Microsoft services and products in the hands of more people and insists that the Lumia range remains its primary smartphone strategy.

“More people are now connected to the Microsoft cloud through Nokia X,” adds Nevanlinna, who says the X2 will be available for €99.

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