Finland’s pride and joy has confirmed its return to market, revealing new Nokia mobile devices will run Android.
For many users around the world, the word Nokia invokes some warm sentimentality and nostalgia. Now, the Finnish company has confirmed its return to market through a new series of Nokia mobile devices that will run Android.
Nokia previously sold off its mobile division to Microsoft, which the latter company has used to produce its well-intentioned but financially disastrous Lumia line. With the news that Microsoft have just spun off its feature phone business in a $350 million deal with Foxconn subsidiary FIH, the way has been paved for Nokia to return to market.
Read: Nokia‘s C1 unveiled in fresh leaks
Nokia has confirmed that it is to license its brand and intellectual property to a newly created company named HMD global, where a number of new Android smartphones and tablets will be produced.
HMD global, another Finnish firm, will be lead by Arto Nummela – former Nokia employee who moved to Microsoft. Nummela is set to take on the role of CEO in June, once the transaction has been completed.
The deal will see Foxconn acquire the rights to use the Nokia name to produce feature phones, while Microsoft will retain some as-yet unspecified design rights.
The news means that Nokia branded feature phones will see a return under Foxconn, while HMD global will proceed to introduce Android-based smartphones and tablets. With Nokia’s recent acquisition of wearable maker Withings, the firm is well positioned to rejoin the fray with a multitude of devices at different price brackets.
Read: Nokia acquires Withings to get into the wearable market
What are your thoughts on the return of Nokia to mobile markets? Can the firm succeed on name value alone against the heavyweights of the Android world? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
Source: Nokia
