Nokia “categorically denies” Android rumours, looking forward to double digit market share

MyNokiaBlog reports that recent claims that Nokia was open to Android in the future was in fact incorrect, with Nokia issuing a proper transcript of the comment Stephen Elop made.

The statement reads:

Nokia categorically denies that what Elop said implies anything different from what he has stated over and over for months now.

“Do you rule out 100% launching a smartphone based on Android in 2013?

Elop: So, the way I think about it is, in the current war on ecosystems, we are fighting with Windows Phone. That’s what we’re doing. Now, what we’re always doing is asking, how does that evolve? What’s next? What role does HTML5 play? What role does Android or other things play in the future? We’re looking further into the future, but it terms of what we’re bringing to market, and what we’re immediately focused on, we’re focused on Windows Phone.”

The error appears to have arises due to a case of Chinese whispers, with Spanish newspaper El Pais incorrectly transcribing an interview with Stephen Elop, possibly to make their story more exciting, and then Gizmodo Spain and eventually Gizmodo.com reporting on it.

Gizmodo has since updated their story with Nokia’s correction, and notes that Nokia appears to be very happy with the performance of the Nokia Lumia 920, with Stephen Elop listing as one of his goals of 2013 to reach double digit market share again, saying:

Q. What then arises goals for 2013?

A. I can not give specific figures, but the first great object, without setting a date, is to reach a market share in double digits. Then, keep pushing and striking a balance with the other two major ecosystems, Apple and Android.

If Nokia manages that I guess I can tick of another prediction from my 2013 list 😉