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”.