Microsoft built prototype Surface phones, sources say
It's not just Nokia that was at it -- Microsoft was also prepping a plan B, if things didn't work out with the Finnish firm.
So, what would Microsoft have done if Nokia embraced Android, as it's reported to have been considering? It would've made its own mobile, that's what.
Sources told The Verge that Microsoft even went as far as to make a few prototype Surface phones. This would've served as a plan B, if Nokia did jump ship. Considering how its Surface tablets have struggled, Microsoft must be thanking its lucky stars Nokia decided to join the fam.
Microsoft knew Nokia was testing Android on its Lumia range of handsets. Seeing as Nokia mobiles account for 80 per cent of Windows Phone's sales, obviously Microsoft wanted to have a back-up in place in case Nokia sided with Google. Thankfully that didn't happen, and these Surface phones will probably never see the light of day.
There's no word on what kind of specs Microsoft had kitted out its handsets with. And it's all academic now.
A couple of weeks ago, Microsoft announced it's buying Nokia's mobile division. The deal will be complete early next year. Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer is stepping down sometime in the next 12 months, so the Redmond company is also on the lookout for a new head honcho. Possibly one who's a bit less sweaty. Nokia's CEO Stephen Elop must be in the running, seeing as he's a former Microsoft man himself. He'll keep running Nokia's phone business for now, though.
We knew Nokia was eyeing up Android before, but not that it'd come quite so close to porting it to its mobiles. It reportedly chose the Windows Phone OS because it feared Samsung would dominate Android. And that's how it's played out, with even Google getting suspicious of the South Korean behemoth.
Would you like to see a Microsoft Surface phone? Was Nokia right to choose Windows Phone over Android? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook page.