Nokia launches first Android phones
The X, X+ and XL will range in price from 89 euros (£74) to 109 euros. Up until now Nokia's suite of smartphones has used the Windows operating system. The announcement had been widely expected despite Microsoft detailing plans to buy Nokia's mobile division at the end of 2013, BBC News reports. Analysts have called the announcement a "perplexing strategic move". The entry-level X model will feature a 4in (10.2cm) screen with 512MB Ram and a three-megapixel camera. The X+ will have 768MB Ram and a 4GB MicroSD card. The top-end XL will have a 5in screen, a front-facing two-megapixel camera and a rear five-megapixel camera. The X will go on sale immediately in several territories including Europe and Asia Pacific. The X+ and XL will launch in April. Users who buy one of the X models will be able to use Microsoft's free cloud-storage system, OneDrive. The software giant's email software, Outlook, will also ship as standard on all models. 'Bitter pill' The messaging service BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) will be pre-installed on the phones as will social network Twitter, video app Vine and the game Plants vs. Zombies 2. More than 1.1 million devices running Android are expected to ship this year compared with 360,000 using the Windows operating system, according to data from research analysts Gartner. Microsoft agreed to buy Nokia's mobile phone business in a deal worth 5.4bn euros ($7.2bn; £4.6bn). Details also here
