Following recent reports that it was preparing a new smartphone and aiming to get back into this business as early as next year Nokia has published its official word on the subject. "These reports are false, and include comments incorrectly attributed to a Nokia Networks executive," says a brief post on the official Nokia news statements page.
Last week's Nokia handset reports came from "two sources briefed on Nokia's plans," and were first published on Re/Code. It was said that new handsets would be produced by the company "as early as next year".
The Nokia division said to be behind the plans was Nokia Technologies which has been responsible for the N1 Android tablet, which is licensed to another manufacturer and sold as a Nokia branded product in China, and the innovative ZLauncher Android homescreen replacement software.
As Nokia sold its phone manufacturing operations to Microsoft we were told that we could expect ventures similar to the N1 tablet where the Nokia brand and designs would be licensed out. Though all these plans have now been officially denied, the full statement is as follows:
Nokia notes recent news reports claiming the company communicated an intention to manufacture consumer handsets out of a R&D facility in China. These reports are false, and include comments incorrectly attributed to a Nokia Networks executive.
Nokia reiterates it currently has no plans to manufacture or sell consumer handsets.
In other recent Nokia news the firm bought out France-based telecoms company Alcatel Lucent for $16.6 billion. Also doing the rounds is a rumour that Nokia is interested in selling off it's HERE maps division. Potential suitors include; Alibaba, Amazon, Apple, Facebook and others.
