14 DAY TRIAL // If you're wondering why LG hasn't been into the smartphone business until now, here's something that will solve the mystery for you. The Korean-based company announced having signed a Memorandum of Understanding with software developer Microsoft. So, basically LG didn't have an agreement to port Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system on its devices. The agreement signed today solves this problem and most likely will come to users’ attention, under the form of smartphones and Pocket PCs featuring Windows Mobile OS.
The move from LG comes a little bit late if we think that all major handset manufacturers have been developing their own branded devices for some time now. Still, the collaboration between the to companies comes in a moment that LG extended to a level of saturation, so in order to continue the grow, the next obvious move would've been the smartphone market.
LG hasn't disclosed any information about its plans on the mobile market for the next year but, obviously, it took into consideration the agreement; thus, we should expect a whole new line-up of Prada-like devices running on Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system.
As the agreement is 'mutual', I believe it should mean it works both ways, meaning that Microsoft should also profit from the collaboration, but the press release is not entirely informative, “The agreement ensures continued strategic collaboration in R&D, marketing, applications, and services in the field of converged mobile devices. The proposed partnership also reflects both companies’ commitment to leverage best-in-class technology, resources and expertise by joining forces with leading players in key markets”.
Anyway, aside from the fact that LG is now ready to take on the smartphone market with its own branded devices, both companies will probably work to ensure that their mobile solutions are the best.