Nokia Normandy
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 Nokia N9 running Android 2.3 were leaked in 2011. They were believed to be likely genuine, as Steven Elop had mentioned Nokia had considered Android in the past.[1]
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.[2]
The Chinese technology site CTechnology revealed that, despite the announced merger of Nokia's handset division with Microsoft, development of the project was continuing until November and 10,000 prototype units had been manufactured by Foxconn containing a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 8225Q chip.[3]
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.[4] AllThingsD suggested that Microsoft may not actually axe development on the device.[5]
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.[6][7][8]
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.[10] In a second report, they suggest the device may be a member of the Asha range as team was headed by Egil Kvaleberg (fromSmarterphone) and UI lead by Peter Skillman (who worked on the Asha Platform's Swipe UI).[11]
A tweet by @evleaks on 31 Dec 2013 stated that "The reports of Normandy's death have been greatly exaggerated".[12]
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.[13]
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.[15]