Microsoft decided to acquire the handset business of Nokia to strengthen its mobile platform, aiming to strengthen Windows Phone from within. But it seems that might not have been their only incentive. According to the New York Times, Nokia was busy testing Android versions of Lumia devices, which might have prompted Microsoft to complete the deal.
This might have meant that Windows was afraid of being ditched by Nokia in favour of the open source platform. Nokia has 80% market share in terms of Windows Phone devices; other manufacturers like HTC and Samsung have not been successful bringing their devices to market, with miniscule sales to speak of.
Nokia’s potential OS switch wasn’t mentioned in the acquisition discussions this year, according to one tipster. Even so, the sources claim that Microsoft’s executives knew of the project’s existence — they would have understood the consequences of losing Nokia’s support. Microsoft and Nokia have so far declined to comment on the rumour, but it’s clear that any Android-based Lumias are now consigned to the history books.
