Microsoft allows installing Windows Phone on Android hardware

Besides Sailfish, Firefox and Ubuntu Touch, Windows Phone is the latest operating system that can be installed on capital devices designed to run Android. However, Microsoft only allows phone companies to do this instead of letting users install themselves like other open source operating systems.

When released this spring, Windows Phone 8.1 can install on some Android devices, particularly those using Qualcomm chips. Supported chips are Snapdragon 200, 400 and 400 LTE.

Microsoft's goal is for manufacturers to install Windows Phone on devices that are designed to run Android. In this way, Microsoft will encourage mobile carriers to launch an additional version of Windows Phone next to the original Android model. More attractive, some sources said that Microsoft will reduce the price of Windows Phone licenses to 70%.

To make the Windows Phone 8.1 installation work on Android devices as easy as possible, Windows Phone can use the soft keys displayed on the screen instead of the hard Windows key. Microsoft will also remove the requirement for dedicated camera keys and allow installing applications on a memory card.

The bad news for users who want to explore Windows Phone 8.1 on Android is that Microsoft will not release software for them to install on existing devices. However, if it is attractive enough, it is likely that programmers on mobile software development forums like XDA-Developers will find a way to please users who want to try new things.