The N9 is a fantastic piece of hardware and what makes it more exciting is that there is evidence that in addition to MeeGo it can also run Android and Window Phone. We got a sneak peak of some photographs of the N9 running ‘Sea Ray’ or Mircosoft Windows Phone. And now in what may be a staged/controlled/uncontrolled/accidental leak we’ve got in our hot little hands a modified Nokia N9 running Windows Phone 7.
The N9 has been modified by adding a dedicated camera button on the side and the positioning of the flash. What differentiates the Nokia N9 from all other Windows Phone handsets to date is that it has a front camera and supports NFC. Both these features are already a part of Android and the iPhone but missing from Windows Phone 7 devices. Is this the tip of the ice berg of the special relationship between Microsoft & Nokia? The ability to serve a greater number of options first? Is so what incentive does HTC have to get into bed with Microsoft. Elop was clear that Nokia’s first WP7 devices will be running Mango and now that we see the N9′s ability to run WP combined with rumours that it’ll be out in a month almost lines up with Mango time lines.
You’ll see in the video below that there is room for the 3 WP buttons that are standard with the OS & we also know that the front facing camera will be supported with Mango. Adding NFC into the mix would give Nokia & Microsoft a very competitve product on the market. The only concern with the hardware is its slightly outdated processor, however word on the street is that MeeGo is snappy enough to make you forget about the processor hype, the question is, does Mango have the same spring in its step?
Here is the 21 minute presentaion of Sea Ray and below you’ll find the hardware demo of WP running on the N9
