Microsoft Announced Nine New OEMs While Giving Reference Design For Windows Phone

Latest news reveals Microsoft opening its Windows Phone gates to handset makers in an attempt to skyrocket forward into the mobile market. The company has announced a new reference design hardware sample for potential OEMs and ODMs which includes having reduced hardware requirements to make it easier for new manufacturers to adapt the Windows Phone OS on their handsets.

Having launched the oem.windowsphone.com website, Microsoft will allow any potential manufacturer to view and review key component and design details based on the Qualcomm reference design. Besides the latter, Microsoft has also made the Windows Phone OS more universal, allowing OEMs to install the operating system on current Android handsets.

The move might look surprising and also a bit desperate, however the company has already enlisted quite a few manufacturers up for the grab of this new idea, including HTC, Samsung, ZTE, Huawei, Lenovo, LG Electronics, XOLO, Gionee, Karbonn and Foxconn. However, the idea might backfire and Windows Phone could also lose some substantial ground here if something goes wrong.

“We are pleased to add these new partners to our expanding Windows Phone ecosystem. They will be key contributors to continued growth across price points and geographies for Windows Phone,” said Nick Parker, corporate vice president of the OEM Division at Microsoft.

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