14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is readying its official entrance on the Chinese smartphone market with its latest mobile platform, Windows Phone Tango.
It appears that the Chinese press has already started to receive invitations to the event that will be held on March 21. Although the invitation does not hint to any devices announcements, Chinese customers can already purchase a Windows Phone device.
True to its promise, HTC launched yesterday its Triumph device, a rebranded HTC Titan. The smartphone is powered by Microsoft’s Windows Phone Tango operating system, which is the company’s lighter entry-level software.
The HTC Triumph is currently available in China for about 700 USD (535 EUR) outright, which is exceptionally high if we take into consideration Windows Phone prices in other regions, such as North America and Europe.
While there’s no indications that all Windows Phone devices launched in China will be shipped with Windows Phone Tango, it remains to be seen what is the exact software configuration of Nokia’s Lumia series smartphones, which are expected to arrive on the market on March 28.
Nokia’s CEO, Stephen Elop already confirmed the company’s launch event will be held on March 28 in Beijing.
The Finnish handset vendor is expected to release the Nokia Lumia 800C at China Telecom, as well as other Lumia smartphones, specifically designed for the Chinese market.
Aside from Lumia 800C which has already been confirmed, rumor has it that Nokia plans to release the Lumia 719C and Lumia 610S, though the information has yet to be confirmed.
So far, Nokia and HTC are the only handset manufacturers that expressed their intention to launch Windows Phone devices in China, but other companies may follow suit.
According to the folks over at Liveside, Microsoft also plans to open up the Windows Phone marketplace for Chinese customers, soon after Windows Phone Tango’s official announcement.
