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Follow UsIn an interesting turn of event, Microsoft has announced that more OEM vendors will be joining the ranks of Nokia and Huawei to manufacture and sell devices powered by Windows Phone (WP) OS. Speaking at the MWC earlier this week, the company informed the press that Windows Phone 8.1 update for devices is expected to make its way in spring.
In addition to that, Microsoft announced that more vendors have decided to take the leap and manufacture devices running on WP. The most notable inclusion in the list are the names of India-based brands like Lava, Karbonn Mobiles and Xolo.
Windows Phone has steadily climbed up the ladder and currently stands at third position in terms of global OS penetration with Android and iOS leading the charts. The slow growth of WP devices has been majorly attributed to lack of multiple vendors selling the devices, with Nokia the only major advocator of WP till date along with brands like Huawei, Samsung trying their hands to lesser extent.
The addition of brands like Xolo will help Microsoft to broaden its reach in markets like India and ask the company to make devices that are affordable yet durable. Nokia's major chunk of Lumia sales have been recorded thanks to the entry-level Lumia 520 smartphone which sells in the country at sub Rs 10,000 price mark. Taking a cue from this, it is highly expected that brands like Lava can be entrusted to offer devices of similar quality at even lower prices that will attract more buying traction towards WP devices.
WP has come across as a less hardware-hungry OS than Android and typically we have seen cheaper Android phones merely being useful and not the most competitive. If these brands manage to offer WP devices at around Rs 6000, then the volumes game for Microsoft might change for the good.
Windows Phone 8.1 as per the rumored leaks talk about addition some much needed features like; notification center, data storage directory and dual-SIM capability among others.