Is Microsoft making its own Windows Phone in 2022? We discuss the options.

Concept Surface phone (Image via Jonas-Daehnert)

Information technology has been a few months since nosotros concluding heard anything about Microsoft making its own Windows Phone once again, so it looks similar nosotros're almost due.

A new "report" from the not then trusty Mainland china Times straightforwardly states that Microsoft will accept its ain Windows Phone launch quondam in early 2022 and that they've been working on it with a hardware partner for the last 4 months.

Evidence? Sources? Who needs those things on the net!

However, some of our readers have asked to weigh in on the affair and then instead of just ignoring this story (what we would adopt to do) we'll give our thoughts on information technology. Plain, with our snarky "who needs sources" banter in a higher place, you can go a feel for what side we come down on this topic.

Stop the presses...or intertubes or whatever powers this thing

The preamble

First off, we would never 100% rule out Microsoft making their ain phone. They're a billion dollar company, they can and volition practise whatsoever they want, when they want and if they decided to make a smartphone, gosh darn information technology they could. Seriously, who's going to stop them? They make the Xbox 360, Kinect, Zune HD, mice, keyboards, HD Web cams and tablets. They could practice a phone.

But we but don't meet it happening. Non now at to the lowest degree.

For one, Microsoft has a lot invested with Nokia who as a co-partner has been driving Windows Phone evolution. We couldn't retrieve of a worse move for Redmond to brand than throwing Nokia under the charabanc in such a manner—talk about a vote of "no confidence".

Second, Microsoft and HTC just announced "the Signature series" of Windows Phones with the 8X and 8S. In practical terms, Microsoft sees those devices equally the base for all Windows Phone eight devices—the "true" representation of the platform. (What that ways for Nokia is a whole other discussion).

In other words, Windows Phone eight already has its headlining hardware with those ii companies (and to a lesser extent, Samsung).  Those devices, at least on paper, are outstanding achievements in terms of design, originality and hardware features. How could Microsoft perchance improve upon HTCs new design and bold colors? How could Microsoft i up Nokia with that amazing PureView photographic camera or PureMotion HD+?

Concept Surface phone past YrOnimuS

The Google Nexus angle

The first bending we can run across for a Microsoft branded Windows Phone would to have a "Nexus like" experience. But that illustration doesn't agree too well with Windows Phone.

Google's Nexus line is the "pure OS" without any skins or modifications to information technology—simply the directly up, latest build of Android.

Would Windows Phone demand that? No 1 skins the OS and most of the differences, much to the consternation of some OEMs, are very superficial. Then the comparison to a Nexus line but doesn't add up. Unless…

…they want some low cost, straight to marketplace phones that they can sell correct to consumers with no carrier contracts-- devices that they can sell from WindowsPhone.com which represent the "true" experience but are non competing for carrier representation with their OEMs. This would allow Microsoft to fill in some of that market, offering directly updated phones with no carrier intervention and fifty-fifty eat some of the costs (much like what Google does to proceed the toll low).

While that sounds like a decent thought, there's no evidence to support it just still.

Concept Surface telephone by YrOnimuS

Contingency Programme?

The second bending hither for which nosotros could come across as a shred of hope for this Microsoft Windows Phone rumor is if this initial launch of Windows Phone viii hardware fails to impress and grab on.

Let's not mince words: if that happens, Windows Phone eight (and peculiarly Nokia) are in trouble.

That doesn't hateful the Lumia 920 or the 8X need to outsell the iPhone 5 or beat the latest Android phone in terms of market share, it only ways there has to be some significant momentum built.

If not, investors will get very cautious of Nokia (even more so than they are now), you'll come across calls for Elop'due south replacement and the future of that company could be at pale. Seeing every bit Nokia is the just OEM who is fully invested in Windows Telephone, that's a big run a risk if something goes wrong.

It's only in that sense could nosotros possibly think that Microsoft would consider making their own hardware—Nokia has gone bust and HTC is playing cozy with Android again. Then nosotros may see Microsoft pace in with the "permit u.s.a. bear witness you how information technology'due south done" blowing that stirred the creation of the Surface tablets. Merely even if that scenario were to happen, it would be a very different reason than why Microsoft is making the Surface.

In this case, Microsoft would exist both trying to gear up the bar and trying to keep their brand afloat, whereas with Surface information technology'southward well-nigh just getting their myriad of partners all on the same page in terms of design.

Betting against it

For now though, nosotros find such situations unlikely. Past all accounts, HTC and Nokia should have solid launches with their "hero" phones and Microsoft will non step in to jeopardize that past adding confusion with a self-branded device. We tin can't recall of a unmarried pundit or investor who would read that as anything other than fear and dubiety in their ain partners.

Speaking of, if we wanted to exist really cynical we could suggest that this story is purposefully creating fright, uncertainty and uncertainty (aka FUD) for the Windows Phone 8 pre-launch.

With Surface, Microsoft demonstrated (a) they tin can keep a hardware hole-and-corner and (b) they aren't afraid to practice their ain hardware if it suits them. For those reasons, nosotros tin can't dismiss the thought that they won't e'er take such a tract, merely nosotros're just not seeing whatever show of information technology. The residuum is, every bit they say, speculation.

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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-making-its-own-windows-phone-2013-we-discuss

Posted by: mcphersonpinge1991.blogspot.com

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