Nokia Normandy

The Normandy, previously known as 'Project N', the 'Asha on Linux project' and "MView", is a low-end Android device under development by Nokia.
Described as a potential "game changer", the project has garnered substantial interest from the media, including coverage from New York Times, Engadget, Stuff, Forbes, Gizmodo, The Verge, CNET and The Times of India.
Background
Despite choosing the Windows Phone operating system for its smartphones (The Lumia series), Nokia had experimented with the Android platform in the past. Images of a were leaked in 2011. They were believed to be likely genuine, as Steven Elop had mentioned Nokia had considered Android in the past.
On 13 September 2013, the New York Times writer Nick Wingfield revealed that Nokia had been testing the Android operating system on its Lumia hardware, and a second project, known as 'Asha on Linux' used a forked version of Android without Google services.
However, a new report by Tom Warren from The Verge on 11 December 2013 showed the Asha-like device, codenamed 'Normandy' for the first time, stating that despite the finalisation of the acquisition, development of the device is continuing.
A further report by CTechnology on the 14th December claims that the device development had been halted, along with an Android-based 7-inch Snapdragon 400 tablet. The two projects were, it was claimed, to have been created by Nokia’s CTO division which is not being acquired by Microsoft, with Peter Skillman, the head of UX Design, at the helm of the UI design. The report claims wearable devices are the new focus of the CTO division.
A further leak by showed a press image with several colour options for the phone.
According to NokiaPowerUser, the device is dual-sim with a 4-inch display, stating that the model number is RM-980, and has a 640×360 resolution. In a second report, they suggest the device may be a member of the Asha range as team was headed by Egil Kvaleberg (from Smarterphone) and UI lead by Peter Skillman (who worked on the Asha Platform's Swipe UI).
A tweet by ' on 31 Dec 2013 stated that "The reports of Normandy's death have been greatly exaggerated".
A leak on the ITHome technology website showed a blurred image of the phone, and the app drawer of its' UI in operation, confirming it is a dual sim device. However, no Nokia logos were found on the device.
later posted screenshots of the UI, showing the lock screen and Skype in action.
The device later showed up on the AnTuTu benchmark software as Nokia A110, with KitKat 4.4.1, a 5MP camera and an 854 x 480 display.
Two new photos of the Engineering prototype were once again leaked, and the device is widely expected to be released at MWC 2014. One shows a different app launcher to one in a previous leak, suggesting it is a placeholder.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu