Expect first WP-powered Nokia handsets one year from now

Nokia's managing director in India, D. Shivakumar, says we are to see the first WP-powered Nokia handsets a year from now.

Prior to this official info, there were reports that these phones will reach the end consumer "after October 2011", but before the end of this year. However, sources say Microsoft needs to release its Mango update, which rumours claim is to be delayed, in order to pave the way for the first Nokia handsets running MS' mobile OS.

In the same interview, D. Shivakumar defended Nokia's decision to adopt Windows Phone:

"We took the decision after looking at that operating system [Windows Mobile 7]. It’s a good operating system."

Moreover, he claims it's a win-win situation for both companies:

"Microsoft has been looking for a strong hardware partner, but they have been on phones [platforms] which has not given them that strength. With Nokia, suddenly the scales are huge. So, for the first time in many a markets, people will get used to a Windows Mobile phone thanks to the Nokia tie-up."

Nokia's MD in India went on to say that Nokia will benefit from Windows Phone's strong points - like the tight Facebook integration, the Bing search engine and the games it offers.

source: DNAIndia via Electronista