Microsoft plans to launch Chinese-edition WP7 platform in 2H11
If sources are to be believed, Microsoft plans to launch a Chinese-edition of Windows Phone 7 (WP7) in the second half of 2011 and is currently soliciting China-based mobile device makers including Lenovo, Huawei Technologies and ZTE to jointly develop WP7-based smartphones targeting the China market.
According to the sources, Microsoft is expected to unveil the second batch of WP7 smartphones at the upcoming MWC 2011 trade fair with the showcase including Asustek Computer’s first WP7 model, the E600. Although HTC, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics (LGE) and Dell have all launched WP7-based smartphones, Microsoft still hopes to ignite a wave of demand for Windows Phone-based smartphones with the introduction of the Chinese-version WP7.
However, it remains to be seen if China-based mobile device makers will shift their focus to develop WP7 smartphones as most of them have put effort into Android-based models recently.
O2 Asia to focus on 3G handsets made by Taiwanese OEMs
As Taiwanese DigiTimes.com reported today, Singapore based O2 Asia Pacific, a member of the Telefonica O2 Group, will focus on marketing 3G handsets in 2007, with four (most likely Windows Mobile-based) 3G PDA phones to be launched in the first quarter of next year, according to Lawrence Lee, president for Taiwan and Hong Kong at O2 Asia.
Although the four models will target different market segments, all of them will be manufactured by Taiwan OEM handset makers, including Quanta Computer, Asustek Computer and Arima Communications, said market sources.
Quanta became a supplier of 3G handsets to O2 Asia in 2006, with its shipments including the Xda Atom- and Xda Atom Exec-series models, while Asustek and Arima will be new suppliers of 3G models starting in 2007, the sources indicated.
Gigabyte Communications, another Taiwan-based handset maker, currently manufactures the Xda Stealth 2.5G handsets for O2 Asia, the sources noted.
Despite the fact that O2 in Europe currently outsources production of its Ice-series handsets to a Pantech of South Korea, O2 Asia is satisfied with the product quality and services offered by Taiwanese handsets makers and has no plans to outsource production to makers in China and South Korea at the moment, Lee stated.
Following its re-entry into the Taiwan market in the second half of this year, O2 Asia has taken up a 10% share of the local Windows Mobile-based smartphone segment, with the percentage likely to climb to 15%-20% in 2007, Lee stated.
Additionally, O2 Asia will soon start offering customized services to telecom service providers in Taiwan to strengthen its company image and further penetrate into the local channel, Lee added.
Source- http://www.theunwired.net
