Nokia: We looked at Android, but it's commodotised, with value essentially moved to Google

MeeGo device will ship but only as an experiment

Following the announcement of its broad global strategic smartphone partnership with Microsoft to adopt Windows Phone for its smartphone platform, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop was asked about other mobile OS.

"We talked to our friends at Google, and there are some attractive elements [with Android], but we felt we wouldn't be able to differentiate ourselves," Elop explained.

"There's a commoditisation risk using Android and essentially value moves out to Google."

MeeGo gone

Elop was also asked about the future of MeeGo, Nokia's smartphone and tablet OS with Intel.

"We explored the opportunities with MeeGo, but we weren't sure that we could expand across pricepoints quickly enough," he said, of its potential as a basis for a smartphone platform.

This was the reason Nokia decided to go with Windows Phone for its smartphones.

In this context, MeeGo will become an open-source, mobile operating system project, but, Nokia will ship what it calls a MeeGo-related product in 2011.

"It's an opportunity to learn about innovation, especially with user interface," Elop said.

"We will then ask that team to explore the potential of future platforms and look at how to disrupt the business in the longterm."

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