14 DAY TRIAL // Nokia, the world's leading mobile phone maker, is believed to be working on a new device, which might run under Microsoft's mobile operating system. Speculation on the matter emerged in a recent article on Times Online, which states that Wolfson Microelectronics, a British microelectronics and fabless semiconductor corporation specializing in signal processing chips, was selected to provide technology for the upcoming mobile phone.
Here's what the aforementioned story notes on the matter: “Wolfson suffered a blow in 2008 after it lost a contract to supply components for the Apple iPod. However, some of the pain was lessened last year after it was selected by a leading mobile phone manufacturer - believed to be Nokia - to provide some of the technology for its new Windows Mobile handset.”
Rumors on the possibility that Nokia would come to the market with a device running under Windows Mobile have been cycling around for quite some time, but all proved false in the end. Last year, speculations on a possible Android-based device from Nokia emerged as well, but the Finnish handset vendor denied any plans to make a move into the area.
Undoubtedly, Microsoft would like having its mobile operating system loaded on phones from Nokia, but chances for this to become reality are very slim. The phone maker bets a lot on the capabilities of its Symbian platform, and, considering the amount of resources it has invested in the development of this OS, it's doubtful that it would shift away from it and would embrace a rival solution for its future devices.
Moreover, as WMPoweruser notes, the identity of that “leading mobile phone manufacturer” who contracted Wolfson hasn't been revealed, and there are great chances that it would turn out to be Samsung, LG, Motorola or other top handset vendor. Indeed, Microsoft and Nokia signed an agreement last year for the development of mobile solutions, but nothing was suggested in regard of a Windows Phone coming from Nokia. One way or the other, time will tell, so keep an eye on this space to learn whether the rumor pans out or not.