Microsoft adds new partners for low-end Windows smartphones

News Wireless Global 23 FEB 2014
Microsoft adds new partners for low-end Windows smartphones
Microsoft announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona new hardware partners for Windows Phone as part of efforts to expand the OS to more low-end and mid-range devices. In addition to its existing partners — Nokia, Samsung, HTC and Huawei — Microsoft said it is now working with Foxconn, Gionee, Lava (Xolo), Lenovo, LG, Longcheer, JSR, Karbonn and ZTE to develop the Windows Phone platform. This gives it seven of the top 10 smartphone manufacturers in the world, in addition to leading brands in China, India and Taiwan, representing more than 56 percent of the addressable market globally according to figures from IDC cited by Microsoft. As a result, Windows will be able to offer an even broader array of devices, across more price points and geographies, the company said. 

Microsoft also unveiled expanded hardware support for Windows devices, including support for Qualcomm's low-end Snapdragon processors, the 200 and 400 series. It's working with Qualcomm to offer reference designs for integrating the chips in Windows phones. The additional hardware support will also allow use of more spectrum bands on Windows phones, for TDD and FDD LTE, HSPA and the Chinese standard TD-SCDMA. Windows Phone will also support soft keys and dual SIM, key requirements particularly for Asian and emerging markets. 

In addition, Microsoft launched in Barcelona the Windows Hardware Partner Portal, designed to help manufacturers and operators speed up device commercialization and minimize development costs. The portal offers help with integration of other Microsoft's products, such as Office Mobile, Skype, Xbox and Bing, as well as the Windows apps and features like Live Tiles and People Hub. 

The expanded Windows Phone ecosystem will also provide mobile operators and retail partners with additional opportunities to offer white-label Windows Phone devices under their own brands. Mobile operators will also have more options to build custom apps and services for their Windows Phone devices. 

Categories:

Mobile

Companies:

Nokia,  Microsoft,  Qualcomm,  Lenovo,  ZTE Belgium,  Foxconn

Regions:

Global

Tags:

Cooperations & alliances, Wholesale, Handsets

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