For years, I waited for Nokia to change its mind and start making the gorgeous Android handsets many fans wanted from the company. Instead Nokia steered clear of a path that may have brought it some success, and eventually succumbed to iOS and Android. Yet, Re/code has learned that Nokia is once again working on Android smartphones, something that was previously rumored as well, and I can’t help but get excited all over again.
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The company is looking to get back into the smartphone business as soon as next year, as its contractual obligations to Microsoft expire. That’s what people familiar with the matter have told the site, adding that Nokia is also toying with virtual reality and other “ambitious” projects.
As per its contract with Microsoft following the sale of its mobile business, Nokia can’t sell any smartphones under its brand through the end of the year, and can’t license its brand to other companies until at least the third quarter of 2016.
Nokia already has two interesting Android products, including the Z Launcher and the N1 Android tablet, which we saw at MWC in all its glory (image above), and which should be released in markets other than China this year.
On top of those, the company is already working on some new Android toys. According to former Nokia executive Richard Kerris, who has seen some of these new devices, people will be blown away if some of them hit the market, though he did not elaborate.
The one problem with the Nokia Android handset you’re craving might be related to manufacturing and availability. As Re/code notes, Nokia may simply license its Android phone and brand to a different company which will then distribute it.
Even so, it might be time to get excited about the possibility of Nokia making Android phones. Again.
