Microsoft adds nine new hardware partners for Windows Phone, adds new portal for OEMs
This is a mega news for Windows Phone lovers. We are going to see more Windows Phone devices this year as Microsoft has added Foxconn, Gionee, Lava (Xolo), Lenovo, LG, Longcheer, JSR, Karbonn and ZTE as Windows Phone hardware partners (Nokia, HTC, Samsung and Huawei being existing partners). Now, having partners is one thing but getting partners to manufacture models is another and we do hope to see handful Windows Phone devices that doesn’t have Nokia logo on them.
“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. We are making it easier, faster and more affordable for partners to develop a Windows Phone,” said Nick Parker, corporate vice president of the OEM Division at Microsoft.
To make is easier for hardware designers to make WP devices, Microsoft and Qualcomm are collaborating to give OEMs/ODMs direct access to Microsoft tools (and snapdragon 200/400 reference designs), content and adaptation kits. Mobile operators and carriers will also have chance to have their own branded white-label WP devices, to build custom applications and service for their Windows Phone devices.
Microsoft has also launched Windows Hardware Partner Portal, designed for OEMs to build Windows Phones. This new portal is open to all smartphone device makers and contains various sections to learn about Windows Phone, start develop for Windows Phone, manufacture/ship/sell/update Windows Phone and plan/market Windows Phones. Following are the sections in the website:
Design: Contains basic principles and concepts needed to design great WP apps
Develop: All the tools needed to develop application (design library, developing, testing, monetizing, API references etc)
Publish: Register a dev account, submit free and paid apps, get tips on marketing app, watch app sale progress using dashboards and reports
Community/Forum: Interact with subject matter experts, developers and other members, provie suggestions and feedback
OEM: section meant for device makers
Do go through the new site and check the cool new sections and do provide your feedback to MS so that they can make it a better place for devs/OEMs.
Overall, this is a mighty effort for Microsoft in pushing Windows Phone to more regions and to more users.
