A Nokia job listing has surfaced online, seeking a Senior Engineer with Linux expertise, not Windows Phone expertise.
The job advert has since been taken down, but it caused some uproar nonetheless regarding the possibility of a Google OS Nokia device. Nokia is heavily involved with Microsoft currently, and it has just launched new Windows Phone 8 devices such as the flagship Nokia Lumia 920.
The Linux expert job listing suggests that Nokia is trying to keep closer ties with Android as a possible future plan, but the clues are not very clear.
"We are looking for an expert C/C++ & Java engineer to develop embedded linux device software and hardware drives for our exciting new products," read the job advertisement. "The candidate must have knowledge and experience working with mobile phone technology. Strong knowledge of embedded linux drivers and resource optimizations such as scheduler/governor is a must. Experience with network stack, RF driver, display driver, and imaging pipeline are also essential."
"You will be a hands-on leader of the team that builds innovative products and services using the latest mobile, imaging, and location technologies. You should have shipped commercial software, great team collaboration skills, and strong communication skills. You should also be passionate for mobile devices, be self-driven and motivated and be adaptable to the ever changing mobile market. You will also be closely involved in the architecture, system design and product specification."
Without any other evidence, the purpose of this job listing remains somewhat unclear. The possibility of Nokia making an attempt at creating an Android handset cannot be excluded, but at the same time a single job advert does not mean the Finnish company is ready to go Android.
An employee willing to work in a starup environment with "exciting new products" could mean several things, from a simple Android application to a new implementation of a future technology standard on Lumia handsets.
On the other hand, Nokia's search for a Linux expert would not make much sense unless Android is involved. Does the Finnish company just want to keep tabs on the world's most popular mobile operating system, or does it want a piece of that pie?
