Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) may launch Normandy at the Mobile World Congress next month according to The Verge. The Finish phone maker has already started sending invites to the media for a press conference on February 24. Nokia has, however, kept its alleged first Android phone Normandy under wraps.
Normandy in news for a while now
In the invitation to the press, Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) has not revealed that what the conference is all about. According to some sources, the Windows phone maker may unveil the Verizon Lumia Icon handset for Europe.
The Nokia Normandy, which is expected to be the first Android phone from Nokia, has been in the news from quite some time now. There have been many unconfirmed specifications and features of the phone all over the web with some showing the phone in different colors just like the Asha series. Others have shown the phone’s Android user interface. Also, there have been leaks showing the Normandy interface similar to the Windows phone.
There is a genuine question by some of the market watchers asking how it’s possible for Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) to launch an Android powered phone, when its device segment is up for sale to Microsoft. However, there is a possibility that the rumors of Nokia Asha coming on Android are making the rounds to take the eyes off from any other significant development. Nokia is expected to run its high-end Lumia device on Windows Phone 8 and its future versions.
Other expected Nokia devices
Whether Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) would showcase its much awaited phone Normandy at Mobile World Congress (MWC) is still doubtful, but there are other devices from the company that may debut at the event. Nokia Lumia 929 “Icon” might be unveiled in the Windows Phone category though it will be little awkward to launch a device meant for USA carrier Verizon in a European tech event.
For the fourth quarter, Nokia disclosed that its unit sales declined 29% to 2.6 billion euros, or $3.5 billion. Operating loss for the division came in at €201 million. Smartphone sales also tumbled 7% in the quarter to about 8.2 million units even though consumer spending was up during the holiday season.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), the acquiring company of Nokia’s Device segment, would not have anything exciting to announce in the Mobile World Congress as it would detail on its Windows Phone 8.1 OS at the Build conference, in April.
