{"id":27096,"date":"2014-06-24T13:17:23","date_gmt":"2014-06-24T13:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=27096"},"modified":"2014-06-24T13:17:23","modified_gmt":"2014-06-24T13:17:23","slug":"microsoft-to-release-android-powered-nokia-x2-handset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2014\/06\/microsoft-to-release-android-powered-nokia-x2-handset\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft to release Android-powered Nokia X2 handset"},"content":{"rendered":"

Microsoft has unveiled its first phone after completing its takeover of Nokia’s handset division – and the device is powered by Android.<\/p>\n

The operating system, developed by Google, is usually seen as a rival to Microsoft’s own Windows Phone OS.<\/p>\n

Microsoft said the Nokia X2 offered it a way to hook users into its cloud-based services, several of which come pre-installed as apps.<\/p>\n

One expert said the alternative would have been leaving “money on the table”.<\/p>\n

“I still find it astounding that Microsoft is making Android phones, but there seems to be a steely determination to take a more open approach for the greater good of the whole company rather than just the Windows Phone platform,” said Ben Wood, from the telecoms consultancy CCS Insight.<\/p>\n

\"Nokia<\/div>\n
The Nokia X2 features a front-facing camera missing from the earlier model<\/div>\n

“If they don’t do this, then someone else is going to get the business.<\/p>\n

“I also think it’s a reflection of the fact that Nokia’s budget Asha line of feature phones was unable to compete with entry-level Android mobiles.”<\/p>\n

Microsoft completed its takeover of Nokia’s handset division on 25 April at a cost of 5.4bn euros ($7.4bn; \u00a34.4bn).<\/p>\n

App gap’<\/p>\n

The X2 is the follow-up to the original X, launched in February before Nokia sold its mobile business.<\/p>\n

The original model became the best-selling mobile in Pakistan and the third best-selling handset in India – according to market-research company GfK – as well as achieving strong sales in Russia, Kenya and Nigeria.<\/p>\n

The new device features:<\/p>\n