Nokia X platform

The Nokia X platform was a Linux-based mobile operating system and software platform originally developed by Nokia, and subsequently by Microsoft Mobile. Introduced on 24 February 2014, it was forked from Android and used on all the devices of the Nokia X family. It was also the next Nokia Linux project after the ill-fated MeeGo.

Nokia X software platform

Nokia X home screen in Vietnamese
Developer	Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code: Google Modifications: Microsoft Mobile (formerly Nokia)
Written in	C (core), C++, Java (UI)[1]
OS family	Linux
Source model	Proprietary software based on open source Android[2] and in all devices with proprietary components[3]
Initial release	2014
Latest release	Nokia X software platform 2.1
Marketing target	Smartphones
Package manager	APK
Platforms	32-bit ARM
Kernel type	Monolithic (modified Linux kernel)
Userland	Bionic libc,[4] mksh shell,[5] native core utilities with a few from NetBSD[6]
Default user interface	Graphical (Multi-touch)
License	Proprietary EULA; based on Apache License 2.0 Modified Linux kernel under GNU GPL v2[7]
Official website	developer.nokia.com/nokia-x/platform-overview

On 17 July 2014, after the acquisition of Nokia's devices unit, Microsoft announced that no more Nokia X smartphones would be introduced, marking the end of the Nokia X platform within only a few months after its introduction.^[8] The phones were succeeded by low-cost Lumia devices under the Microsoft Mobile brand name.^[9] Microsoft did not release an Android-based device under their own brand until 2020, in the form of the foldable Surface Duo.^[10]

Overview

The Nokia X software platform was based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP)^[11] and the Linux kernel.^[12] Nokia combined Android apps with Nokia experiences (such as HERE Maps, Nokia Xpress and MixRadio) and Microsoft services (such as Skype and Outlook). Nokia officially described the software as bringing "the best of all worlds". It also encompasses features from the Asha platform, such as the Fastlane notification centre. The user interface mimics that of Windows Phone.

The OS has been compared to Amazon.com's Fire OS, which is also based on AOSP.

Applications

Google's applications were replaced by Nokia's and Microsoft's. When first released, the Google Play store was not included, with Nokia offering apps from their own Nokia Store. After the v2.1 update in September 2014 users were allowed to install Google Play and various other Google services through third party tools, but if users attempt to install Google services on their Nokia X devices it would usually be "bricked" and would require the Nokia Software Recovery Tool to restore the data.^[13]

As of February 2014, 75% of Android apps were compatible with the platform. Nokia noted that developers could port the remaining missing apps in a matter of hours, and in an attempt to encourage developers to contribute to the platform, added compatible Android apps without developer approval.^[14]

Developers

An SDK was available for the platform, and included an emulator based on the Android emulator. Nokia discouraged developers from using Windows Phone design patterns and encouraged the use of Android design guidelines on the Nokia X.^[15] Nokia's VP of developer relations commented that the Nokia imaging SDK would likely be ported to the platform from Windows Phone.^[16]

Version history

Version	Release date	Based on AOSP (Android) version	Notes
1.0	24 February 2013	API Level 16 (4.1.2 Jelly Bean)	Launch version
1.1.1	25 March 2013	API Level 16 (4.1.2 Jelly Bean)	Performance improvements Option to change the tile colour of 3rd party apps[17]
1.1.2.2	10 May 2013	API Level 16 (4.1.2 Jelly Bean)	Bringing new apps OneDrive and Contact Transfer Various performance fixes[18]
1.2.4.1/1.2.4.21	28 July 2013	API Level 16 (4.1.2 Jelly Bean)	New app switcher Added call reject with a message Added contact search in the dialler Added Outlook.com & OneNote[19]
2.0	24 June 2014	API Level 18 (4.3 Jelly Bean)	Extra tiles with 4th column Apps list Tile resize and movement improvements New camera UI New virtual keyboard Support for hardware-based home button
2.1	3 September 2014	API Level 18 (4.3 Jelly Bean)	Smart mode camera feature Live wallpapers and lock-screen widgets Google services Local calendar support Mail accounts auto-configuration Landscape support for mail and messaging Other minor improvements

See also

• Nokia Asha platform
• Nokia Store
• MeeGo
• KaiOS
• Hongmeng OS

References

1. "Android Code Analysis". Archived from the original on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
2. "Philosophy and Goals". Android Open Source Project. Google. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
3. "Google's iron grip on Android: Controlling open source by any means necessary". Ars Technica. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
4. "libc - platform/bionic - Git at Google". android.googlesource.com.
5. "master - platform/external/mksh - Git at Google". android.googlesource.com.
6. "toolbox - platform/system/core - Git at Google". android.googlesource.com.
7. "Licenses". Android Open Source Project. Open Handset Alliance. Retrieved 9 September 2012. The preferred license for the Android Open Source Project is the Apache Software License, 2.0. ... Why Apache Software License? ... For userspace (that is, non-kernel) software, we do in fact prefer ASL2.0 (and similar licenses like BSD, MIT, etc.) over other licenses such as LGPL. Android is about freedom and choice. The purpose of Android is promote openness in the mobile world, but we don't believe it's possible to predict or dictate all the uses to which people will want to put our software. So, while we encourage everyone to make devices that are open and modifiable, we don't believe it is our place to force them to do so. Using LGPL libraries would often force them to do so.
8. "Microsoft kills off its Nokia Android phones". The Verge. 8 April 2014.
9. "Microsoft Lumia 435 Dual SIM - Smartphones - Microsoft - India". www.microsoft.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015.
10. Gartenberg, Chaim (2 October 2019). "Microsoft surprises with new foldable Surface Duo phone running Android". The Verge.
11. "Nokia X Platform Overview | Nokia Developer". Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
12. Foley, Mary Jo (24 February 2014). "Why Microsoft may keep, not kill, Nokia's new Android phones". zdnet. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
13. Chowdhury, Kamal (15 August 2014). "Update: "Nokia X2 Tools" allows Nokia X2 to install Google Play Store & Google services". Nokia PowerUser.
14. Holly, Russell (13 May 2014). "Nokia is loading Android apps into its store without developer approval". Geek.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
15. "UX checklist - Nokia X Design Guidelines". Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
16. "Nokia: Imaging SDK set for Android Nokia X Platform- The Inquirer". 4 March 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
17. Turner, Debbie (25 March 2014). "Nokia X update brings improvements already". PhonesReviews UK- Mobiles, Apps, Networks, Software, Tablet etc.
18. "Nokia X 1.1.2.2 software update now rolling out". GSMArena.com.
19. "Announcement of software update v. 1.2.4.1/1.2.4.21". Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2014.