A Microsoft-made Windows Phone 8 device is in the late stages of development, reports suggest, hinting that the software giant is about to try its hand once more at crafting hardware.
The mysterious mobile would see the company who made Clippy taking matters into its own hands, just as it already has with its Windows 8-powered Surface tablet.
BGR cites an unnamed source, who said that the phone is nearly finished and will launch 'in the coming months'. A separate report from China Times reckons the Windows-branded mobile would be revealed in the first half of next year however.
A Microsoft phone might seem like a weird notion, but it could make a lot of sense for Ballmer and his PowerPoint pals. Microsoft badly needs Windows Phone to take off, and if it thinks its recognisable brand could make that happen, then it could make the jump into mobile making.
That said, Microsoft has some very capable partners on board for Windows Phone 8, including Nokia, Samsung and HTC. Microsoft won't want to upset those companies by flogging an own-brand rival device -- the revealing of the Surface tablet had PC-makers like Acer steaming.
Several Windows Phone 8 devices have already been revealed, the most intriguing of which are the Nokia Lumia 920, the HTC 8X and the abominably-named Samsung Ativ S. I've stuck a hands-on video of HTC's mobile below, for your delectation.
Would you like to see Microsoft step up to the hardware plate? Or should it leave mobile making to pros like Nokia and Samsung? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
Image credit: Jonas Daehnert on DeviantArt
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Trevor Lewis 3 October, 2012 12:51
This is shocking news for Nokia who are putting all their eggs in the Windows 8 basket!!
Meleagru 3 October, 2012 13:19
I'm starting to feel sorry for Nokia. They didn't know who they were jumping into bed with. Nokia is like the loyal working husband, trying to make good on all the promises, while MS is just putting out for anyone asking. Nokia needs to gain some independence fast.
anonymous 3 October, 2012 14:20
I don't see it as betrayal on the part of MS to make their own phones. No one ever felt sorry for HTC, Samsung, etc when Google put out their own Androids.
I like the looks of that alleged surface phone, too. Very factory-chic.
anonymous 3 October, 2012 14:44
So, after selling custom PCs via MS website (free of the usual bloatware) and soon tablets/laptops, now they will enter the mobile market? MS seems to clearly believe that hardware manufacturing is now a necessity. It could be a smart move, as unifying and integrating the whole experience (laptop/tablet/smartphone/cloud computing/OS) might be just what many consumers would want in order to move to MS platforms. Will it work? That remains to be seen.
anonymous 3 October, 2012 15:14
If Nokia made a Lumia 920 Android variant I'd buy one. That's really all the board of Nokia need to know. Microsoft won't save them. Competing on multiple fronts, might.
anonymous 3 October, 2012 16:13
I don't think Nokia need to worry! MS can release there own phone and Nokia can still enjoy sales of there flagship Windows8 phone!
As someone mentioned above HTC, Sony, Samsung and others released their own Android phones the. Google releases their own phone and nothing bad happened! The nexus range enjoyed and still enjoys success and sales and other companies are enjoying their success with android in some cases doing better than google (Samsung Galaxy s3)
Meleagru 3 October, 2012 17:46
There is a big difference between Nokia and rest of phone manufacturers. Nokia pretty much aborted development on its own OS and, love it or hate it, is stuck with Windows. They are also only making phones, which makes them extremely vulnerable.
Samsung makes everything, and is still keeping its own OS going. HTC, Sony, LG are pretty diversified in electronics. Even a Chinese company like Oppo is going to make a Windows phone. Strategically, Nokia is forced to make the best Windows phone, or else. The mobile industry would be a lesser place if the Finnish company would go bankrupt because it trusted MS with its future.