Nokia denies it’s planning an Android handset
Nokia has moved to scotch rumours it will soon ship handsets using the Google-owned Android operating system and underlined its commitment to both Symbian and MeeGo.
Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia’s new executive VP of mobile solutions, said in a blog post that he was committed to producing handsets using Symbian, currently the world’s most commonly used handset OS, and that Nokia will launch its first Linux-based MeeGo device later this year.
“Symbian and MeeGo are the best software for our smartest devices,” he wrote. “As such, we have no plans to use any other software. Despite rumors to the contrary, there are no plans to introduce an Android device from Nokia.”
Nokia will use the Meego OS, which it has developed in partnership with hardware giant Intel, to enter the netbook market, according to the post.
“As Symbian gears up to compete with the likes of the iPhone and Android, MeeGo is taking clear aim at the computing space,” added Vanjoki.
If Nokia were to launch handsets using the Android OS, it would give it access to the Android Market, a direct rival to its own Ovi Store which was launched in May last year and has thus far failed to impress in terms of download numbers.
In a recent company restructuring, Nokia promoted director of global brand management Steve Overman to VP head of marketing creation (nma.co.uk 2 July 2010).
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
