Sony looks set to turn its back on its Android reliance, with the Japanese manufacturer tipped to launch a range of Windows Phone handsets later this year.
Despite Sony Mobile having focused solely on smartphones running Google’s Android operating system, new reports have suggested that Microsoft has contacted the manufacturer in a bid to drum-up new partnerships for its Windows Phone platform.
Citing an unnamed “person who was involved in the talks,” The Information has reported that Sony is one of a number of manufacturers on Microsoft’s hit list, with Chinese phone maker ZTE also contacted by the Redmond-based company.
Although Sony is widely expected to unveil new smartphone lines during both CES 2014 next week and MWC 2014 in February, it is not believed that the company’s first Windows Phone handsets will be showcased until around the middle part of the year.
While the Windows Phone platform has struggled to match the might of the leading players, Android and iOS, the emerging smartphone OS saw considerable growth during 2013 thanks to the likes of the flagship Nokia Lumia 1020.
With the Windows Phone platform gaining traction over the past 12 months, Sony also saw its smartphone efforts increase in popularity over the past year with the Sony Xperia Z1 helping bringing the manufacturer back into the mainstream smartphone fold.
Sony has yet to comment on reports of its upcoming Windows Phone handsets and so these claims should be taken with a liberal serving of salt.
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