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Microsoft reportedly testing own smartphone with suppliers

Microsoft reportedly testing own smartphone with suppliers

By KS Sandhya Iyer | Updated: 2 November 2012 17:23 IST

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Rumours surrounding Microsoft's own Windows Phone device have cropped up once again. Fresh reports from The Wall Street Journal suggest that the software giant is working with component suppliers in Asia to put its smartphone design under testing.

The report cites "people familiar with the situation" who reveal that though the company is experimenting with new design ideas, it isn't sure if the product will go into mass production. Another said that Microsoft is looking at smartphone displays between 4-5 inches. Microsoft declined an opportunity to comment for WSJ's report.

Since June, multiple rumours have been floating online regarding Microsoft working on its own Windows Phone device. Last month we covered that Microsoft may unveil its own Windows Phone 8 mobile in Q1 2013 according to a report in China Times. Two days later WP Central and BGR reported that their sources have confirmed the existence of the Windows Phone device, which is likely to retain the Surface brand.

Way back in June analyst Rick Sherlund of Nomura Capital had written about the prospects of Microsoft's own Windows Phone 8 handset:

Separately, our industry sources tell us that Microsoft may be working with a contract manufacturer to develop their own handset for Windows Phone 8. It is unclear to us whether this would be a reference platform or whether this may be a go-to market Microsoft branded handset. We would not be surprised if Microsoft were to decide to bring their own handset to market next year given that Microsoft has decided to bring to market their own Windows 8 'Surface' tablet/PC products.

Microsoft's Senior Marketing Manager for Windows Phone, Greg Sullivan was quick to deny those reports at the time.

More recently, days ahead of the Windows Phone 8 launch, Microsoft's Steve Ballmer had confirmed to BBC that the company is planning to unveil new devices.

"Is it fair to say we're going to do more hardware? Obviously we are... Where we see important opportunities to set a new standard, yeah we'll dive in", Ballmer was quoted saying.

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