Rumour: Nokia set to hedge its bets with Windows Phone 7 support

Given outgoing Nokia smartphone head Anssi Vanjoki has recently equated supporting Android to urinating in one's underwear, the likelihood of the Finnish firm serving up handsets running Google's OS seems especially slim.

That doesn't necessarily mean Symbian^3 will be Nokia's sole focus in the coming months, however.

Indeed, VentureBeat reports Nokia bigwigs are considering branching out and developing Windows Phone 7 handsets.

Winging on Windows

Citing a trusted source, the site claims Nokia's board has given CEO Stephen Elop formally of Microsoft - permission to change strategy if he sees fit, with support for Windows Phone 7 an alliance he's reportedly likely to make.

Such a move would, in theory, allow the firm to reach out to markets where it currently has little presence namely North America.

Microsoft's platform would also act as a safety net if Nokia's forthcoming range of Symbian ^3 handsets fail to live up to their collective billing.

It's win-win

Winning Nokia's support would certainly be a coup for Microsoft, too.

Despite losing market share since iPhone made its debut, Nokia continues to lead the way in Europe, its strength across the continent balancing nicely with the North American and Asian focus of exsiting Windows Phone 7 partners - HTC, LG, Samsung, Acer and Dell.

Just how long such a pact with Microsoft would last, however, is still be up for debate, considering Nokia's joint venture with Intel - and potential Windows Phone 7 rival - MeeGo is due to launch at some point in 2011.

[source: VentureBeat]