Microsoft has unveiled the Nokia X2, the first Nokia-branded Android smartphone produced since Microsoft took control of the mobile arm of the Finnish technology firm.
Before the acquisition, Nokia released an Android handset, the Nokia X, with CEO Stephen Elop saying it was a "feeder system" to push people to Microsoft services.
After the buyout, many wondered whether Microsoft would continue the tactic, but Elop stressed that Microsoft would keep the Nokia X line in an April Q&A session.
If that answer wasn't decisive enough, Microsoft's release of the Nokia X2 should be.
The Nokia X2 is a $144 smartphone that runs a forked version of Android, tweaked to look like Microsoft's Windows Phone OS. It runs Android apps, but comes with Microsoft apps such as OneDrive preinstalled.
The Nokia X2 skin features Fastlane, a new navigation tool that makes it easier to scroll through recent apps, upcoming events, and notifications.
In terms of hardware, the Nokia X2 runs a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chip with 1GB of RAM, features an 800x480, 4.3in display, and has 4GB of built-in storage, expandable by up to 32GB via a microSD card slot. It also has dual-SIM support, and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera as well as a front snapper. The phone doesn't support 4G. The battery is removable, and Microsoft is claiming up to 13 hours of talk-time.
As usual with Nokia handsets, the X2 comes in a range of colours, including green, orange and yellow. It's available immediately in selected European countries; Australian availability and pricing is not known yet.
This article originally appeared at pcpro.co.uk
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