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Verizon Wireless Will Release Microsoft Phone
Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. wireless carrier, will release two phones from Microsoft Corp. around May or June which are targeted at teenagers, two individuals with understanding of the companies’ plans said.
The models will have simple access to social-networking sites and contain keyboards for text messages, according to one of the people, who asked not to become identified because the plans aren’t public. The handset is going to be made by Sharp Corp. and carry the Microsoft and Verizon brands, the other individual said.
Until now, Microsoft has focused on providing its mobile Windows software program to phone makers, instead of providing a model under its personal brand. The move would echo Google Inc.’s choice to sell the Nexus One telephone, which uses that company’s Android operating program. Microsoft is seeking to win back marketplace share within the phone market after Android and Apple Inc.’s iPhone lured away clients from Windows.
By moving directly into the telephone market, Microsoft and Google could risk hurting their relationships with other manufacturers and wireless services. Microsoft will continue to work closely with handset firms that make Windows phones and also the mobile carriers that sell them, the person said.
Cliq, Sidekick
The phone is intended to address a similar audience as Motorola Inc.’s Cliq or T-Mobile USA Inc.’s Sidekick, one of the folks mentioned. In 2008, Microsoft acquired Danger Inc., which makes the software program for that Sidekick. The Cliq includes software known as Motoblur, which serves up Twitter messages, pictures and contacts on towards the phone’s house display.
Microsoft will probably spend more cash marketing its new mobile Windows software than the Pink telephone, said Matt Rosoff, an analyst at Kirkland, Washington-based Directions on Microsoft. Which will smooth over relationships with handset makers and carriers which are Microsoft partners, he said. Microsoft mentioned final month that the software, known as Windows Telephone Seven Series, will be available in handsets by the holidays.
“They will say, ‘Windows phones is where our investment is going. You ought to be betting on that,’” Rosoff said. “They did keep a team working on the successor towards the Sidekick and that’s what this really is. This really is a legacy of Microsoft being a large decentralized company performing a lot of things and seeing what wins. It is not quite the same situation as with Google.”
Touch Screens
Rosoff said the Pink phones won’t run the new Windows software. Windows Phone 7 will provide touch-screen features, letting handsets work more like the iPhone. The software program, unveiled at a conference last month, also has a new style and connects with Microsoft’s Xbox Live on the internet games and Zune music service.
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