Nokia X hacked to run Google Play Store

Nokia X, the recently announced series of smartphones that run a heavily modified version of Android, has been hacked to run the Google Play Store and key Google services.

While Nokia has replaced key APIs and services, including Google's Maps and applications marketplace, with its own apps and Microsoft's services, an XDA developers forum member has posted a way to root the Nokia X so that it could run the Google launcher, Play Store and other Google apps, including Gmail and Maps.

One of the reasons why the apps work is that Nokia has apparently left the application framework untouched in order to allow apps from third-party app stores work on the phone.

Nokia has mentioned on its official SDK page that the phone will be able to run around 75% Android apps without any modifications. Developers only need to make changes if their apps use Google services for push notifications, maps or in-app payments.

It's worth pointing out that rooting the phone will void its warranty. Also, unlike Android, Google's own suite of apps are not open source, so technically, it's not legal.

With the Nokia X series, the handset giant is targeting the budget segment - just above its Asha series and just below the Windows Phone-run Lumia series - trying to leverage Android's app ecosystem, which is comparatively richer than Windows Phone.

It is also worth noting that Nokia's handsets division has been acquired by Microsoft and the transaction will be complete in a few weeks. It's not clear if Microsoft will continue with the X-series as it runs an OS developed by its arch rival, Google.