Nokia’s grand Android experiment is over. In addition to thousands of former Nokia employees being let go from Microsoft(s msft) this week, so too is Google’s(s goog) operating system. Microsoft will surely keep developing its own apps and services for Android phones but it won’t be making the phones themselves.

The Nokia X line started as a strategy to bring a Windows Phone user experience to low cost handsets, complete with Live Tile-like icons and Microsoft services. The idea was to get the Microsoft brand in the hands of customers in emerging markets where feature phones still rule the roost. Microsoft wants none of that and will instead work to get Windows Phone hardware costs down for these markets.

LG is keeping Android around though, so don’t worry. This week, the company launched the G3 Beat, a “mini” version of its G3 flagship phone. Like most attempts…