Categories: Mobile

Nokia rejected Android to create fairer smartphone market – Elop

Nokia’s decision to opt for Microsoft Windows Phone 7 over Android was promped by the metoric rise of Google’s mobile OS, Nokia’s CEO said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at the Mobile Word Congress in Barcelona yesterday Nokia CEO, Stephen Elop, said the company wanted to avoid a Google/Apple “duopoly” in the mobile computing market.

Nokia’s rejection of Android in favour of a deal with Microsoft would seem to confirm rumours that the company was examining multiple platforms in the weeks prior to the announcement on Friday.

According to Elop Nokia had been approached by both Microsoft and Google prior to the decision to abandon its Symbian and Meego operating systems. Elop also revealed that the deal between the two computing giants will be worth billions of dollars to both.

However, no date has yet been set for the release of the first Nokia phone running Windows Phone 7 but Gadget site Engadget reports to have uncovered images of prototype phones from the two companies.

The news of the partnership has caused was broadly welcomed online, although it has anged many Nokia employees, some of whom walked out on Friday after the announcement. Google, was quick to capitalise on the announcement by offering jobs to disgruntled Nokia employees. Google Europe, Middle East and Africa recruiter Aidan Biggins slyly tweeted “Any Nokia software engineers need a job? We’re hiring”.

Ajit Jain

Ajit Jain is marketing and sales head at Octal Info Solution, a leading iPhone app development company and offering platform to hire Android app developers for your own app development project. He is available to connect on Google Plus, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

View Comments

  • @Vipin not sure if this the right move, while agree this prevents a 'duopoly' , windows 7 is pretty late entrant in the smartphone OS Market . So this is a huge risk for Nokia, if the windows 7 , it will be the final nail in Nokia's coffin

  • @Vipin not sure if this the right move, while agree this prevents a 'duopoly' , windows 7 is pretty late entrant in the smartphone OS Market . So this is a huge risk for Nokia, if the windows 7 , it will be the final nail in Nokia's coffin

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