Leaked shots of three new Sony phones reveal something interesting: one of the phones, pictured above, appears to have Windows Phone buttons. Is Sony -- formerly Sony Ericsson -- preparing a Windows Phone to join its current Android line-up and rival the Nokia Lumia 800?
Mobile blog NokiaWP.net shows off photos of handsets labelled as prototypes. Two are Android devices, but the third is apparently running Microsoft's Windows Phone software. If it is indeed a Sony Windows Phone -- and not a phony Windows Phone, chortle -- it'll be the first from the Japanese giant.
The Windows Phone still bears the Sony Ericsson brand, which suggests it could be an older project: Sony recently spent the thick end of £1bn buying out Swedish company Ericsson from their decasde-long partnership. The first result of Sony's solo business is the hotly anticipated Sony Xperia S, expected to arrive in March.
Sony Ericsson last experimented with Microsoft's operating system back when it was still called Windows Mobile, with phones such as the Sony Ericsson Aspen.
Forthcoming phones from the company formerly known (by us) as Son Eric include the device codenamed Nypon.
Sony's new line-up, whatever they are, will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress next month, the annual phone fiesta where phone-furnishers gather to show off their wares for the year. We've already packed our bags, exchanged our Euros and powered up our pencils ready to take MWC by storm, so keep it CNET UK for all the latest phone news and reviews in the coming weeks.
Would Sony be on the right track with Windows Phone, or is it a massive mistake to be in bed with both Microsoft and Google? Tell us in the comments or on our Facebook page.
Image credit: NokiaWP.net
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kp23 17 January, 2012 21:32
no way, sony is to big a rival with ms from the console battles to hop on their OS before its dominant.
anonymous 18 January, 2012 00:21
@kp23...Are you insane.
Why do sony laptops run windows?
Sony phones/TVs/laptops etc..
is considered a seperate business to Sony gaming.
Also sony phones are terrible, that part of the Sony business is going the way of its TV business.
Samsung are better in every department they compete in.. lol
anonymous 18 January, 2012 09:51
@ anonymous
Sony phones have been far better than any other brands since so many years. All those galaxy s users complaining of battery issues, better look into your own issues than comparing with others.
anonymous 19 January, 2012 15:05
@anon (from first anon).
Its called using a custom Rom.
Ive had the Htc desire HD, galaxy s2 and moto droid razr and all have been good.
Easy way to save battery - Switch to 2G, my S2 would easily last 3 days although installating whatsapp killed battery off.
Sony are not good anymore, check on the XDA forums if you want to prove my point.
anonymous 19 January, 2012 15:13
First anon again here... the link below will prove my point, Sony ericsson 317 million pre tax loss hahahaha shows how many people like Sony phones.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/sony-ericsson-317-million-loss/