14 DAY TRIAL // Redmond-based software giant Microsoft is reportedly considering the possibility to release cheaper version of the new Windows Phone 7 for the Indian market. The newly announced mobile operating system from Microsoft is expected to come in a low-cost version to other developing markets too, and handsets powered by it should include rather different specs than those set to arrive in other markets.
“The low-cost version of the phone will have a different chassis than version 1 to be launched by 2010 end,” Sudeep Bharati, director, Developer Tools for Microsoft India’s Visual Studio Team said at Tech.Ed 2010, a recent article on The Economic Times reads. For the time being, no details on the pricing of the Windows Phone 7 devices have been officially unveiled, thought it seems that they might cost somewhere around $500 to $600.
The Windows Phone 7 chassis would include a 5-megapixel photo snapper, a large touchscreen display with multi-touch capabilities, Wi-Fi connectivity options, and a minimum of 128 MB of RAM. The specifications list of the lower-cost Windows Phone 7 devices should be similar with the already announced one, though smaller screens are expected to be included in the package.
“The new version may also have a smaller screen and will thus be priced lower to suit developing markets like India. We are in talks with OEMs to gain their feedback on a new chassis,” Sudeep Bharati said. Unfortunately, no additional details on the difference between it and the Windows Phone 7 handsets that should land before the end of the ongoing year were unveiled.
The phones are expected to be manufactured by OEMs like HTC, Samsung and LG, and should come with joint branding by Microsoft and the mobile phone maker. The Windows Phone 7 devices are expected to arrive with three buttons on the front, one of which is said to feature the Windows symbol and to act like a start-up key.