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Microsoft kills Nokia's X phones, focuses on lower-cost Lumia devices

By Sidney Wong - on 18 Jul 2014, 10:02am

Microsoft kills Nokia's X phones, focuses on lower-cost Lumia devices

 Image source: Nokia Conversations

Microsoft is scrapping the Nokia X family of smartphones in favor of lower-cost Lumia devices.

The news comes as part of Microsoft's announcement that it is laying off 18,000 employees to have a flatter organization structure. With the primary focus on making the market for Windows Phone, Microsoft will shift "select future Nokia X designs and products to Windows Phone devices".

Stephen Elop - "We will be particularly focused on making the market for Windows Phone. In the near term, we plan to drive Windows Phone volume by targeting the more affordable smartphone segments, which are the fastest growing segments of the market, with Lumia. In addition to the portfolio already planned, we plan to deliver additional lower-cost Lumia devices by shifting select future Nokia X designs and products to Windows Phone devices. We expect to make this shift immediately while continuing to sell and support existing Nokia X products."

The Nokia X family was introduced just five months ago at Mobile World Congress 2014 to help reach out and attract first-time smartphone buyers. Although the Nokia X software platform is based on Android Open Source Project (AOSP),  the Nokia X devices are not full fledged Android smartphones. Essential Google services such as Gmail and Google Maps are replaced by Microsoft's own services such as Outlook.com and Here maps.

The latest member of the family, the X2 was announced in late June with an updated processor and bigger processor. To find out more about Nokia X, do head over to our article, "Five Things You Need to Know about the Nokia X Smartphones". 

Source: Microsoft

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