Microsoft has announced nine new hardware partners for Windows Phone and direct access to tools that will broaden the portfolio of devices for consumers and introduce new price points to accelerate growth in key markets.
In addition to its existing partners – Nokia, Samsung, HTC and Huawei – Microsoft is now working with Foxconn, Gionee, Lava (Xolo), Lenovo, LG, Longcheer, JSR, Karbonn and ZTE to develop on the Windows Phone platform.
This means Microsoft is now working with seven of the top 10 smartphone manufacturers in the world in addition to leading brands in China, India and Taiwan, representing more than 56% of the addressable market globally.
Customers can expect to see an even broader array of devices, from iconic to lower-cost options, coming to market.
“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,” says Nick Parker, corporate
vice-president of the OEM Division at Microsoft.
Windows Phone is the fastest-growing smartphone operating system, according to IDC, and posted the largest increase for 2013 (90,9%), more than doubling the growth of the overall market during the year.
Microsoft also unveiled expanded hardware support that provides more flexibility so Windows Phone partners can build devices to meet the unique needs of their region or customer segments. Microsoft is adding support for
Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 and 400 processors by Qualcomm Technologies with options that support various major cellular technologies, including LTE (TDD/FDD), HSPA+, EVDO and TD-SCMA.
Windows Phone will also support soft keys and dual SIM, critical requirements particularly in Asian markets. These changes allow for manufacturing partners to easily leverage existing design investments to diversify their portfolio to
include Windows Phone devices, including larger-screen phablets.
Yesterday (23 February), Microsoft launched the Windows Hardware Partner Portal, which is designed to speed up device commercialisation while minimising development costs. Speed and economies are especially important for
manufacturers needing to compete and win in the dynamic high-volume smartphone segment.
The Windows Hardware Partner Portal is now open to all smartphone device manufacturers to learn about and begin the process to develop on the Windows Phone platform. Windows Phone device manufacturers will also be able to
leverage the great services Microsoft has to offer in that market, which could include Office Mobile, Skype, Xbox and Bing; a growing app catalogue; and features like Live Tiles and People Hub.
Microsoft and Qualcomm Technologies are collaborating to give OEMs and ODMs that are working with the various Qualcomm Reference Designs for Snapdragon 200 and 400 processors direct access to Microsoft tools, content and
adaptation kits to build devices on the Windows Phone platform.
With Microsoft and Qualcomm Technologies, through its Qualcomm Reference Design program, delivering the building blocks to help design and build Windows Phones, Microsoft hardware partners will be able to focus on
differentiating their offering based on apps and services.
Device manufacturers will now be able to choose from hundreds of ways to customise their Windows Phone devices while keeping the consistently high-quality experience that the Windows Phone platform provides.
“We are making it easier, faster and more affordable for partners to develop a Windows Phone,” Parker says.
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 that increase customer satisfaction, retention rates and revenue streams.
