NUSA-PP-Lumia-Icon-Hero2-2000x1000-jpg

As Nokia looks to complete the sale of its devices and services business to Microsoft, the company has released a new handset, but it’s not the Android everyone was looking for.

The new Lumia Icon is a Verizon exclusive Windows Phone handset, and its marquee feature is a quartet of microphones that the phone’s software uses to record high-quality audio based on where its camera is pointing. In addition, the phone also features a five-inch screen, and a 20 megapixel PureView camera, which it shares with the larger Lumia 1520. It’s also fairly unique among Nokia’s smartphone lineup for actually having a name rather than a series of numbers.

Here’s a video showing off its major features:

It seems like the perfect device for people looking to make some quick-and-easy bootleg recordings of their favorite concerts, not that we here at GeekWire would know anything about that.

NUSA-PP-Lumia-Icon-Hero3-2000x1000-jpgWhile the new phone is nifty, it’s even bigger news for Verizon customers interested in using Microsoft’s mobile operating system. At the moment, Nokia only offers its Lumia 928 and 822 for Verizon customers, and the carrier only has three other Windows Phone handsets available.

With Microsoft looking to expand its smartphone platform’s market share, having a foothold with Verizon customers will be a key part of any customer gains due to the massive size of its subscriber base.

The new phone comes amid a host of rumors about Microsoft and Nokia’s plans to use Android with its existing operating system. A report today said that Microsoft is currently looking into allowing Android apps to run on Windows and Windows Phone. Earlier this week, rumors surfaced claiming that Nokia plans to release a new Android phone at this month’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.