Home > News > Nokia to Use Windows Phone 7 OS?
Nokia to Use Windows Phone 7 OS?
By Phil Barker on September 27,
 2010 at 00:00,

nokia-to-use-windows-phone-7We've seen rumours of a Nokia-Microsoft tie-up before, but it always seemed like a bit of a pipe dream. However, with ex-Microsoft man Stephen Elop now at the helm, the rumours have surfaced once again, and now don't look quite so far fetched. Join us after the cut to find out more...

We wrote a somewhat tongue-in-cheek article way back in May, following speculation from analysts about whether Nokia might switch to Windows Phone 7 for future smartphones. With two perfectly good operating systems already in place, however, we didn't think a partnership would ever come to fruition.

Although there are still no signs of an operating system switch, speculation has once again surfaced now Stephen Elop – the former head of Microsoft's Business Division – is on board.

IT ProPortal reports that Nokia “may be looking to use rival mobile platforms including Microsoft's in order to become competitive again”. This seems a little harsh to us – as Nokia is already the biggest selling smartphone vendor by far. However, the website still makes some interesting points.

Who is Stephen Elop?

It goes on to point out previous Nokia-Microsoft collaborations, including the appearance of Microsoft Communicator Mobile on some Nokia handsets, and points out that Microsoft is set for a big push with Windows Phone 7 to “counteract the growth of Android and the iPhone”.

It still seems a little unlikely to us, however. With the easy to use Symbian ^3 in place, MeeGo on its way, and the Qt framework ready to help with cross-platform development, another operating system would only muddy the water.

As always, we'd like to hear what you guys think, however. Would you like to see Windows Phone 7 on a Nokia? Let us know in the comments below.

Via IT ProPortal

Tags: Microsoft Nokia Stephen Elop Windows Phone 7
/ View all comments
  • mjoa
  • Diablo

    Nokia running WP7? Disaster of note. Nobody used previous versions of Windows Mobile and the new version will likely not get a huge market share boost. WP7 would be a mini suicide for Nokia. I would hate for Nokia to use Android but Android would make more (short term) financial sense. See what happens when you hire ex Microsofties? Nokia should focus on Symbian and Meego for at least the next 5 years before considering other operating systems.

  • das

    diablo has no idea what he is on about , windows mobile is used worldwide by thousands of bussiness , and was the first popular smartphone OS to actually take off and be installed on multiple devices

  • Diablo

    @das: I know exactly what I’m talking about. Symbian had (according to Gartner) a 41.2% worldwide market share in Q2 of 2010 compared to Windows Mobiles 5% and Androids 17.2%. In the US Symbian only has (I think) a 3% share. Windows Mobile and Android are matched pretty evenly (I think) in the US but the big difference (I know) is that Android is gaining popularity while Windows Mobile is losing popularity. I’ll say it again: if Nokia wants to make it in the US and Symbian and Meego (which is taking forever to get a handset release) won’t work Android would be the way to go. Happy?

  • LowRider

    I kinda agree with Diablo, Windows Mobile has been struck in a rut for a while now and on the outside it doesn’t make sense for Nokia to use Win Mobikle. There is a “however” to all this, if we leave aside Microsoft’s mobile failure, they have really been making fine products since the terrible years (2006-pat of 2009) , where we had products like Vista, OneCare etc. Since last year Microsoft have really got their act together, Windows 7 has been a massive success, they’ve launched a free anti-virus tool (Microsoft Security Essentials), which again is doing pretty fine out there, Internet Explorer has sucked for years but I’ve been using the IE9 beta and it really is looking good. It makes me quite optimistic about the quality of Windows Phone 7, though I think with Android out there, pretty much any new OS will struggle these days in terms of sheer numbers.

    I personally can’t see Meego taking off as Android and iPhone OS is too well established with huge software libraries now, I don’t know why anybody would shell out for a £500 smartphone which has very little software when you could pay the same money and have access to the iPhone/Android back catalogue, that’s the problem that both Windows Phone 7 and Meego face

  • Sinbad

    The problem is not if they can develop something which cant sell. Every company beleives they can sell the product they develop, but when it comes to market , they have to be close to ground. Accept the facts as it is and move ahead with alternate stratagies before it nose dives. Nokia is a great company in Hardware. But IMHO, MeeGo in the coming 2 years cant compete with Microsoft or Android, its simple as that. May be they can improve, but immediately I dont see any chance and even if there is a chance Nokia needs atleast a billion to invest, which is hard buy.
    Currently Android and WP7 are the leading platforms and it makes lot of sense for Nokia to invest in WP7 since its faster to develop. Also the 15$ license fees is nothing compared to the 50$+ development costs + legal costs which may be required for Android. Again Android is already in competition with Nokia in the low end. So respecting Nokia , Symbian and Meego as it is , I dont see any synergy with the platforms which is already half dead. And if Nokia misses the WP7 bus, sooner or later be prepared for an acquistion atleast. Be ground to earth

  • Honduran

    @Sinbad I think you’re right. I’ve been checking out some demos of Windows Phone 7 and “wow”, it’s early days but it makes iPhone OS and Symbian 3 look like they’ve popped out of a time warp they look really bad when compared to the Windows Phone 7 UI, Maemo was pretty hard to use too and no doubt Nokia will mess up Meego. I think Windows Phone 7 will be a hit, it looks simple and efficient, everything an OS should be, you’d have to have an anti-Ms agenda to not be impressed by Windows Phone 7. See I didn’t mention Android in that list, as currently Android stands head and shoulders above anything else, but Windows Phone 7 looks special

  • Pingback: Windows Phone 7 on Nokia: We Don’t Think So! | LIVE NEWS :