02.13.14
Gemini version available ♊︎‘Windroid’ is NSA-Powered, Not Linux-powered, and Real Nokia Phones (Not Microsoft ‘Nokia’) Are Only Jolla
Summary: Microsoft marketing from The Verge and some history lessons about Nokia’s Linux endeavours
THERE has been some silly press coverage about a pointless Nokia-branded Microsoft phone, which basically serves the NSA and acts as an enhanced surveillance device. It’s even named after a war (or location of a famous war). We don’t want to feed those who hype it up (some FOSS sites do this foolishly as though it’s good for Android), but we’ll only cite FOSS Force, which explains: “Tom Warren reported on The Verge yesterday that he’s been hearing some skinny that Microsoft is considering making some changes to Windows Phone to allow it to run Android apps.”
No, this is not news. Microsoft has been trying to do that for quite some time (years!), but the entity that got close to it was MeeGo, which only days apart from the official abduction of Nokia by Elop finally got a fantastic tool for running key apps from Android’s broad market, using Alien Dalvik from the Myriad Group (we covered that at the time, back in February of 2011). Right now Jolla enjoys it.
To quote another decent new article from FOSS Force: “Since at least 2007, Microsoft has claimed that 235 of its patents are infringed by Linux. The trouble is, nobody knows what patents are being infringed because Redmond has been keeping that a secret, leaving us to assume that these are imaginary patents. Linux developers only want to see the patents, if they exist, so they can create workarounds to bring Linux into compliance. So far, Microsoft has refused.
“With Ross Gardler, current president of the Apache Foundation and paid spokesperson for Microsoft, running around telling everyone who will listen that “Microsoft is a changed company” and “Microsoft is much more open,” now would be the time to prove it. Show us the patents or promise not to use them against Linux,” wrote Christine Hall.
Why do some bloggers insist that Microsoft ‘embracing’ Android is good while Microsoft reportedly extorts Android backers? This is more of a strategy for concealing one’s predatory and probably illegal behaviour. Microsoft is not there to befriend Android. Microsoft wants to destroy Android. It hardly even makes any pretences about it.
A lot of the hype really comes from The Verge, a site managed by one who gave a platform to Microsoft’s anti-Android lobbyists (Patel). Be sceptical of promotional pieces like this new one which says: “Of Microsoft’s many challenges in mobile, none loom larger than the app deficit: it only takes a popular new title like Flappy Bird to highlight what the company is missing out on. Windows 8 apps are also few and far between, and Microsoft is stuck in a position where it’s struggling to generate developer interest in its latest style of apps across phones and tablets. Some argue Microsoft should dump Windows Phone and create its own “forked” version of Android — not unlike what Amazon has done with its Kindle Fire tablets — while others claim that’s an unreasonably difficult task. With a new, mobile- and cloud-focused CEO in place, Nokia’s decision to build an Android phone, and rumors of Android apps coming to Windows, could we finally see Microsoft experimenting with Google’s forbidden fruit?”
No, it’s racketeering and extortion. The stream of rubbish from The Verge has become inane Microsoft marketing and it’s not hard to see it. Floating all sorts of rumours and “exclusives” serves Microsoft’s agenda here. Other Microsoft boosters have been floating or debunking the idea of Microsoft ‘forking’ Android. Everything for attention, eh?
Half a decade ago Nokia had said that it would put Linux on all of its smartphones (Symbian for the rest). That was before a mole made it into the company. If people want what would have been Nokia’s product (if it hadn’t been destroyed by Microsoft entryism), then they should turn to Jolla and Sailfish OS (former Nokia staff and a Linux-powered operating system). They are already best sellers in Finland, they now land on Android devices [1], and they even open up their designs [2].
Nokia did not die. The brand died. Nokia staff moved on and continued working on MeeGo under another brand. They deserve our support. My wife says her next phone will be a Sailfish OS phone because the features are impressive and she used to love Nokia before Microsoft destroyed it. █
Related/contextual items from the news:
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Sailfish OS is coming to Android Devices
If you are impressed with Jolla’s Sailfish OS but do not want to exchange your current Android phone for the Jolla smartphone, the finnish company has some good news for you. In a recent blog post, Jolla has announced that they are bringing Sailfish OS to Android devices.
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Jolla’s 3D files let you print your own smart covers
Willing to change the look and feel of your Sailfish OS device? Here’s some good news. Finnish smartphone manufacturer Jolla has released a pair of smart covers dubbed ‘The Other Half’ that not only change the way your phone looks like, but also facilitates a number of UI changes. Jolla has also released the Other Half developers kit, which includes 3D files and technical specs for developers and fans to print their own smart covers.
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