Microsoft is reportedly working with its component suppliers in Asia to test its own Windows Phone 8-based smartphone.
Officials at Microsoft’s suppliers told the Wall Street Journal that the company is testing a smartphone design, but isn’t sure whether it will ever go into production. The device is apparently between four and five inches. The iPhone 5 has a 4 inch display while the Samsung Galaxy S III has a 4.8-inch display.
A Microsoft smartphone has been touted as a possibility ever since the company announced its own Windows 8 and Windows RT-based tablet, the Microsoft Surface, which was released last week.
Many of Microsoft’s hardware partners were angered by Microsoft’s decision to release its own Windows RT-based tablet, with Acer suggesting that the move would have a “huge negative impact” on the Windows 8 ecosystem. Toshiba and HP have halted their plans to develop Windows RT devices as a result.
It is possible that Windows Phone 8 manufacturers might not be too happy at the prospect of competing against a Microsoft smartphone, but in a conference call two weeks ago, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop said that he would welcome such a rival. Elop said that a Microsoft smartphone would act as a “stimulant” to all companies making Windows Phone 8 devices, but added that he wasn’t aware of any plans to do so.
Windows Phone 8 smartphones arrive in the UK today, with the Nokia Lumia 920, Nokia Lumia 820, HTC Windows Phone 8X, HTC Windows Phone 8S and the Samsung Galaxy Ativ S all available from various networks.
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So basically Microsoft have shafted Nokia by promising them they would be the exclusive people delivering the phone, locking Nokia in so they can't og with anybody else, now they are thinking of bringing out their own phones too while allowing all the other Asian manufacturers access to Win8 too. Oh yes i also heard Nokia are also being told to give Nokia Maps to all other Winbows 8 phone manufacturers too. So what exactly is going to make a Nokia Windows 8 phone so special now. Nokia has been essentially hood winked and ruined by this Elop guy, his loyality was always with Microsoft, an inside job you betcha, don't be surprised when Nokia gets so weak that Microsoft pounces on it for next to nothing, that was the plan all along wasnt it?. Kill off Symbian, essentially kill off Nokia, then buy it for a song. Sickening traitors.
unbelievable! elop saying he welcomes competition when he's barely moving any of his own ? elop said nokia would become microsoft's platinum-rubidium-pandorum partner, but now, nokia is an OEM after all. so this has got to be the history's worst ceo at the helm , ever!