Sony Windows Phone 8-based smartphones in the works: Report

Digitimes in a report citing sources connected with the matter, has claimed that Sony has tied-up with a Taiwanese company named ODM Compal Communications for at least one or two Windows Phone 8-based smartphone units. The report also claims that the order volumes for the initial one or two Windows Phone 8-based smartphones will be around ten thousand units each. In addition, the report reveals Sony's intentions to sell Windows Phone devices in the US via telecom operators which will expand the Windows Phone ecosystem for the market.

The report further reveals that the Japanese giant and the Taiwanese company are also in talks for two or three more Windows Phone smartphone units. As of now, there is no word on the availability and pricing details of alleged Sony's Windows Phone-8 based smartphones.

We'd first heard of the rumoured Sony Windows Phone 8-based smartphones in a report earlier this month that suggested Microsoft was in talks with Sony for launching a smartphone based on Windows Phone OS. The report had claimed that Sony might launch a Windows Phone device in mid-2014 as part of its Vaio line-up, under which the company has been traditionally launching Windows-based notebooks, desktops and media centres.

An earlier report had suggested that Microsoft, in an attempt to promote its mobile and tablet ecosystem, has been considering offering free versions of Windows Phone and Windows RT to device makers. The report had claimed that free future versions of Windows Phone and Windows RT for device makers were under serious consideration by Microsoft's executive vice president of operating systems, Terry Myerson.