Microsoft said to be offering Samsung $1 billion to make Windows Phone devices

It appears that Microsoft's vision for its Windows Phone ecosystem aims to include more manufacturers, at least the top handset vendor, Samsung. A new rumour claims that the Redmond giant has offered Samsung a whopping $1 billion incentive to continue working on Windows Phone devices.

The news comes from Mobile Review's Eldar Murtazin, who claims that Microsoft is negotiating with Samsung for making Windows Phone devices and in return would offer $1 billion to the South Korean manufacturer. The tweet reads, "Another "good" news from Microsoft - company negotiate with Samsung and offer 1 billion support if vendor will produce Windows Phone devices." As of now, there is no word from Microsoft and Samsung on the matter.

However, Microsoft's offer to the world's biggest smartphone manufacturer seems interesting considering Samsung was valued at around $220 billion earlier this year.

There's no doubt Windows Phone platform has been struggling to keep catch up with Apple and Google's mobile platforms, and Nokia seems to be the only OEM supporting its cause. With Microsoft acquiring Nokia's mobile device and services division, the Redmond giant may just follow up by wooing more OEM partners for the Windows Phone ecosystem.

Recently, a report suggested that Microsoft, in an attempt to promote its mobile and tablet ecosystem, is considering offering free versions of Windows Phone and Windows RT to device makers. The report claimed that free future versions of Windows Phone and Windows RT for device makers have been under serious consideration by Microsoft's executive vice president of operating systems, Terry Myerson. The report cited some sources familiar with Microsoft's plans and claims that the free future versions of Windows Phone and Windows RT are just a part of Myerson's broad amendments planned for future of Windows.