MWC 2014: Microsoft-owned Nokia unveils Google Android-based Nokia X smartphones

'Affordable' devices revealed at MWC 2014 will have access to apps including BBM, Facebook, LINE, Skype and Twitter

Nokia has revealed its first Android smartphones, the Nokia X, Nokia X+ and Nokia X, a range of ‘affordable' devices running on Android Open Source Project backed Nokia X software platform.

The announcement was made at Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona, and will see a modified version of Google's operating system running a Microsoft-owned handheld device. Microsoft acquired Nokia's mobile business for £4.6bn in September last year.

The Nokia X range of smartphones run a modified version of Android, which instead of harnessing Google Play to purchase apps, does so through Nokia's own app store. Applications available to Nokia X devices include BBM, Facebook, LINE, Skype and Twitter.

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop told MWC that Nokia X represents an excellent opportunity for Nokia app developers.

"With the Nokia X, we benefit from the Android app ecosystem. However, we have built on this, with the device introducing new people to Nokia apps and services. It also means Android developers can bring their apps to the Nokia family in just a few hours," he said.

"For developers, the Nokia X is a great way for developers to increase their revenues, and we will offer a bunch of different monetisation options.

Elop added that Nokia X is still very much a Windows phone, which favours Microsoft applications - such as cloud services - over counterparts from Google.

"The Nokia X takes people to Microsoft's cloud, not Google's cloud, which means Microsoft will be able to reach people it has never talked to, all around the world," he said.

The 4-inch touchscreen screen devices will become available in the near future, with prices ranging from €89 (£73) to €109 (£90).

"Today, Windows Phone is the fastest growing mobile ecosystem in the world, and we continue to see incredible momentum with our Lumia smartphones," added Bryan Biniak, vice president and general manager, developer experience at Nokia.

"Now, with the introduction of the Nokia X family of devices, we're delivering the same design, quality and innovation Nokia is known for to lower price points to capture the fastest-growing segment of the smartphone market," he said.