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The world's biggest mobile show, Mobile World Congress, is underway in Barcelona, Spain. As Samsung, Frefox, Huawei, LG, Microsoft, HP, Lenovo and many others gear up to showcase their best products and services, we bring you live updates from our blogger Anuj Srivas on Hypertext .
As our correspondent is experiencing technical difficulties, we will be unable to update this blog continuously. We apologise for the inconvenience.
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1.47 pm IST "We are committed to connecting the next billion people," says Elop. That about sums it up - Nokia is really willing to go any distance it seems. This is a scrappy move. And that's it folks. Elop leaves the stage. Some final thoughts.
If anything, this move to go towards an Android ecosystem that removes all traces of Google is inspired. It's also a glimpse of how a Nokia under Microsoft will take place. The design will all be Nokia. Microsoft will likely only contribute in terms of services. It would be a master stroke if Nokia and Microsoft offered this new Android to Chinese OEMs along with patent protection in order to counter Samsung and Apple.
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1.38 pm IST When asked what was the need for Android and Nokia X, Elop talks about need to tap into all opportunities in growth markets like India. Quick comment: "This is a submission of how much Android is loved in countries like India. And also how the Windows App Store really hasn't worked."
A pointed question from someone in the audience: "Three years ago you said the Nokia Meego platform was burning. Is today's launch not another admission of Windows mobile being a burning platform?" Elop dodges, says its about building a new platform with Microsoft, not abandoning Windows Phone.
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1.34 pm IST Elop plunges into strategy. "Lumia is about innovation and forward thinking. The Nokia X is about the people who look for budget- for growth markets like India. Nokia X is essentially a feeder into Lumia." He adds, "Nokia X represents our decision to keep MS services as a common denominator throughout our devices."
And that's a wrap folks. Elop starts taking questions from the media.
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1.26 pm IST A third Nokia Android device? The new Nokia XL unveiled - a much bigger device that comes with a 2 MP front facing camera! The Nokia X is EUR 89, X+ is EUR 99 euros, and XL is EUR 109.
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1.18 pm IST The Nokia X comes with a Nokia App Store that links into other stores like the Yandex store.
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1.15 pm IST The sub-$100 range is vital, says Elop. We're going after it- Wait for it. The Nokia X and the Nokia X + are announced! Nokia's first android phones! Comes with a host of MS services. The phones are built on the AOSP platform: it's open source basically but ditches Google services for Nokia's and Microsoft's services.
"The Nokia X takes people to Microsoft cloud and not Google cloud", Elop says cheekily.
Tech. writer Benedict Evans >tweets : "Nokia fork of Android is potentially compelling at low prices in emerging markets. Less clear if it can become a broader strategy."
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1.10 pm IST Affordability seems to be the name of the game. Elop announces the Nokia Asha 230a, the most affordable Asha ever. Costs EUR 45 (Rs. 3,850).
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1.08 pm IST What are we doing that's new, asks Elop. Introduces the new Nokia 220 phone: an internet friendly phone, costs only EUR 29 (Rs. 2,480). Looks like its aimed at India and as Micromax as competitor. Looks like the 220 comes with greater MS integration and BING search.
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1.02 pm IST Former Nokia CEO Elop gets on stage, says that today we show Nokia's future. And it seems the BlackBerry Messenger is finally on the Nokia Lumia!
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It's 12.55 pm IST and five more minutes to go, according to an announcement.
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The press conference is about to start... It's now 8.30 am (and 12.30 pm in India) on a cold, cold morning in Barcelona. The media's still settling in as everyone awaits the launch of Nokia's first Android phone. We'll be here, covering the whole thing. Stay tuned!
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