Microsoft’s mobile division signaled the continuation of its Android range of devices with the announcement of Nokia X2 yesterday. The latest Android device from the company not only sports new hardware on the inside, but also runs on the 2.0 version of the X Platform, a forked variant of Android that debuted with the original. It’s basically a heavily skinned OS based on AOSP, without Google Play services, and now it looks more like Windows Phone than ever. This is thanks to the 2.0 update’s visual improvements including a new quick settings menu, an app list and a multitasking switcher that has taken advantage of the new hardware home button freeing up functions for the back button. This new hardware level change has rendered the older range Nokia X, X+ and XL devices incapable of this upgrade, says Nokia in its latest blog.
Because of the necessary hardware upgrades, the Nokia X software platform 2.0 won’t be available on Nokia X, Nokia X+ or Nokia XL. However, more updates will be coming to further improve the experience of those devices in the coming months.
We think the addition of the new home button could be the only reason behind this, but the company still promises updates to improve the experience of those devices, which, after taking a look at the X2, is definitely needed. May be Nokia can figure out a way to map the back button for more than two functions, like Apple’s famed single home button, but we are not confident on that front, as the X2 hardware update seems way faster than anyone had expected.
That said, we hope the promised updates at least better the non-hardware related aspects of the OS, like a better quick settings menu, app list, new fast lane and more. So, are you one of the unfortunate Nokia X/X+/XL buyers? What do you feel about this? Tell us in the comments section below, and in case you are interested to know more about the 2.0 X Platform, check the source link.
Source Nokia