Microsoft axes Nokia X Android project, cuts 18,000 jobs

By Malarie Gokey July 17, 2014

Ding dong, the Nokia X is dead. In a move the surprised absolutely no one, but disappointed almost everyone, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that the Nokia X smartphone line will no longer run Android OS. Microsoft will gradually convert all of its X devices to Windows Phone and manufacturer nary an Android device more. This announcement comes right after the company announced plans to cut 18,000 jobs.

The first smartphone in the Nokia X line debuted right before Microsoft’s purchase of Nokia’s devices and services division was finalized. At the time, Android fans were excited about the device, even though they were fully aware that Microsoft would probably axe the project in the immediate future.

The first Nokia X was a low budget affair with heavy nods to Microsoft layered on top of Android, but it represented a world of possibilities. Some Android fans really like the Nokia Lumia’s design aesthetic and were excited to see one running a version of Android.

Then, the purchase went through and Microsoft got its grubby hands all over Nokia’s Lumia business. Months later when rumors of yet another Android-based Nokia X smartphone surfaced, there was widespread confusion. After all, why on Earth would Microsoft make an Android device?

The Nokia X2 continued in the same vein as the first X handset, but with slightly better specs. Some expressed tentative hope that Microsoft would keep the Android project going, so as to sell budget smartphones. That dream is dead.

“We plan to shift select Nokia X product designs to become Lumia products running Windows,” Nadella said in a blog post. “This builds on our success in the affordable smartphone space and aligns with our focus on Windows Universal Apps.”

It’s unclear which Nokia X devices will convert to Windows Phone, but if only one of them does, it will probably be the newer X2. As for Microsoft’s Android plans, it looks like they’re off the roadmap for good.

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Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…

Music

Nokia may offer MixRadio on iPhone and Android devices

nokia mixradio coming to ios android devices

Just one day after Microsoft announced 18,000 job cuts and the elimination of several Nokia smartphone projects, Nokia's homegrown music streaming app, MixRadio, told the Guardian that it will be a spin off business. MixRadio is breaking up with the band, AKA Microsoft, and going solo. As such, it could be available on iOS and Android soon.

MixRadio's CEO Jyrki Rosenberg told the publication that the music-streaming service will still come preloaded on all Windows Phone handsets, but it also plans to branch out to other operating systems in the near future.

Computing

Microsoft to cut ‘up to’ 18,000 jobs as part of efforts to ‘simplify organization’

microsoft to cut up 18000 jobs over the next year

Update 7/17/14 10:37 a.m. ET: Digital Trends reached out to Microsoft for comments on these cuts and what they mean for the company in both the short and long term. Microsoft declined to offer any statements.
Original story
Microsoft announced today that the company will be cutting "up to" 18,000 jobs over the next year as part of a "restructuring plan." The announcement was made in this official blog post.

Of those 18,000 positions, Microsoft says that roughly 12,500 of the cuts will come from "professional and factory positions," which "will be eliminated through synergies and strategic alignment of the Nokia Devices and Services business acquired by Microsoft." Microsoft completed this acquisition on April 25 of this year.

Mobile

Microsoft continues its Android experiment with the Nokia X2 smartphone

Nokia X2

Nokia has announced a new addition to its growing range of Android-based smartphones. It’s called the Nokia X2, and it comes barely five months after the company launched the X range during Mobile World Congress. Like its sister hardware, the X2 runs a custom version of Google’s Android OS, but without any of the Google apps and services installed. Instead, Android looks more like a cross between the software used on Nokia’s Asha phones, and Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system.
When it comes to specs, the Nokia X2 fits in-between the existing Nokia X and the Nokia XL. It has a 4-inch LCD touchscreen with a 480 x 800 pixel resolution, and is powered by a dual-core, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 200 processor. A 5-megapixel rear camera has been fitted to the phone, along with an LED flash, and there’s a front camera for selfies and video calls.

While the open source version of Android is the X2’s operating system, it looks nothing like you’d expect. The main home screen is a more basic version of Windows Phone, and to spice it up, Nokia has added the Fast Lane - seen previously on its Asha hardware - which helps make operation easier. Fast Lane is accessed with a sideways swipe, and shows a list of recently used apps, notifications, and quick access links to often used programs.
The Nokia Store is installed, along with a selection of Microsoft apps such as OneNote, Skype, OneDrive, and Outlook. It’s possible to download and install Android apps from third-party stores such as Yandex, but don’t expect Google Play to work. Additionally, Nokia has added social apps from Facebook, Line, and Path as standard, plus its MixRadio service along with Here Maps.
Nokia hasn’t confirmed where it will launch the X2 yet, saying only that it’ll be coming to selected countries very soon. It’ll be sold in a few bright colors, and will cost a mere 100 euros or about $136.