Not so long ago Microsoft had a handful of trusted Windows Phone
partners in the form of HTC, Samsung, Nokia and Huawei. Nowadays it’s
basically just Nokia. But all that could change in 2014 as Microsoft
attempts to make its platform more attractive to handset vendors.
We previously reported that Sony could be working on a Windows Phone 8 handset linked with a 2014 launch. According to Digitimes, sources have confirmed Sony is working on handsets and one or two will be released in 2014.
The deal aims to sell Sony Mobile handsets to US consumers whilst
Microsoft can use the opportunity to tap into the Japanese market.
Taiwanese manufacturer ODM Compal Communications will produce one or two handset models for Sony and two of three other models are currently under discussion. Each of these will only reach tens of thousands of consumers to start with as Sony tests the demand.
What this would mean is the first Sony phone linked in to Microsoft's Xbox ecosystem - controversial!
Nothing regarding specs or hardware was mentioned in the report, however, but with the Windows Phone GDR3 update now in the wild it’s likely we’ll see the device kitted out with a decent – full HD – display and powerful Qualcomm quad-core processor, most likely the Snapdragon 800.
The report says the deal between Microsoft and Sony has not yet been finalized and could come undone if the two firms disagree over licensing costs. According to reports from late-2013, Microsoft is currently "seriously" looking at abolishing the license fees associated with Windows Phone in a bid to make the platform more attractive to hardware firms.
Sony released a Windows Mobile in the past and even experimented with Windows Phone 7 when the platform first launched – it built a prototype handset that never made it to market.
To ensure Windows Phone keeps growing Microsoft needs the support of other key hardware vendors – Nokia cannot do it all by itself. HTC and Samsung committed to Windows Phone early on but have since returned their attentions to Android. Getting Sony onboard could be just what the doctor ordered.
We’ll update as soon as we know more.
We previously reported that Sony could be working on a Windows Phone 8 handset linked with a 2014 launch. According to Digitimes, sources have confirmed Sony is working on handsets and one or two will be released in 2014.
Taiwanese manufacturer ODM Compal Communications will produce one or two handset models for Sony and two of three other models are currently under discussion. Each of these will only reach tens of thousands of consumers to start with as Sony tests the demand.
What this would mean is the first Sony phone linked in to Microsoft's Xbox ecosystem - controversial!
Sony Windows Phone handset linked with 2014 launch
A report over at The Information suggests Microsoft may have bagged Sony, one of Google’s key hardware partners. The report suggests Sony will launch a Windows Phone handset in early-2014 as part of its already well-known Vaio product line.
Nothing regarding specs or hardware was mentioned in the report, however, but with the Windows Phone GDR3 update now in the wild it’s likely we’ll see the device kitted out with a decent – full HD – display and powerful Qualcomm quad-core processor, most likely the Snapdragon 800.
The report says the deal between Microsoft and Sony has not yet been finalized and could come undone if the two firms disagree over licensing costs. According to reports from late-2013, Microsoft is currently "seriously" looking at abolishing the license fees associated with Windows Phone in a bid to make the platform more attractive to hardware firms.
Sony released a Windows Mobile in the past and even experimented with Windows Phone 7 when the platform first launched – it built a prototype handset that never made it to market.
To ensure Windows Phone keeps growing Microsoft needs the support of other key hardware vendors – Nokia cannot do it all by itself. HTC and Samsung committed to Windows Phone early on but have since returned their attentions to Android. Getting Sony onboard could be just what the doctor ordered.
We’ll update as soon as we know more.
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