14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Mobile is heavily focused on Android-based smartphones at the moment, but it seems that the company is actively considering the possible release of a handset running under the Windows Phone operating system.
There has been a great deal of rumors regarding the possible release of such a device over the past few years, and nothing came to fruition in the end.
However, Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai appears to have indirectly confirmed that the company is indeed considering the launch of a Windows Phone handset.
For those out of the loop, we should note that Sony has announced plans to sell its VAIO business earlier this week, while adding that it will focus on smartphones and tablets moving forth.
During the press conference that followed the announcement, Sony’s CEO made it clear that Windows PCs would no longer be produced by Sony.
However, he also noted that Microsoft’s Windows platform was available on mobiles as well, and that Sony was considering new products in this area, a recent article on CNet points out.
“In the mobile arena, we decided that it is essential now to concentrate on smartphones and tablets,” Kazuo Hirai reportedly said.
“Microsoft has various OSes, including mobile. So, as Sony, we will consider new product development going forward,” he also noted. You can access the full transcript of the press conference via this link.
Unlike previous hints at a possible Windows Phone 8 smartphone coming from Sony, the new one comes from the company’s head, which clearly means that something is cooking in the vendor’s labs.
What remains to be seen is whether Sony’s shift in product roadmap will refer to both smartphones and tablets based on Windows Phone, or only to one market segment.
Previous reports suggested that Sony might bring its WP handset to the market before the end of this year, so expect additional details on the matter to emerge in the very near future. Stay tuned for more on this.