Just a couple of weeks ago, the mobile world was rocked by the announcement that Microsoft would be purchasing Nokia's handset business. While there were several of us in the industry who surmised this might happen, the timing was rather sudden and far earlier than many would have predicted. As it so happens, it looks like Microsoft's timing will turn out to be very good, and perhaps necessary. According to some leaked intel, Nokia had actually already developed an Android Lumia phone. The device wasn't necessarily something they were in a rush to bring to market, but was basically a back-up plan in case things with Windows Phone 8 went badly. Here's a quote with more of the details,
Supposedly, Microsoft knew about this Android Lumia device, yet this wasn't a determining factor in Microsoft's decision to purchase Nokia's phone business. Perhaps it might not have affected Microsoft's decision to purchase Nokia, but it seems possible it affected the timing of that purchase. Share your thoughts.
Source: New York Times