Microsoft shopping around 'low-cost version' of Windows Phone 7 for emerging markets

Microsoft has apparently revealed at a developer event in India that it intends to produce a "low-cost version" of Windows Phone 7 primarily targeting emerging markets that would come after the initial volley of higher-end devices schedule to launch at the tail end of this year. Little else is known at this point, but Sudeep Bharati -- director of India's Visual Studio group -- has mentioned that it will have a smaller screen, suggesting that this might be one and the same as the HVGA spec Microsoft mentioned back at MIX a few weeks ago. He went on to say that they're currently in talks with manufacturers to get feedback on the lower-end version, so it sounds like this isn't quite solidified yet -- but considering that the first WinPho 7 devices promise to be pretty pricey, we wouldn't mind seeing these things materialize, "emerging market" or otherwise.

[BlackedOut Posted Apr 19th 2010 10:42PM]

@kenny goo
Yeah agreed, if they completely disallow the use of 3G or any of its variants from these devices that would be stupid. (No digs iNtended)

Judging from the slide, it seems as though they simply want a consistent lower resolution, C/GPU and RAM, with the option of a higher resolution later in the devices' life cycle or when the line between the WP7-lite handsets and the fully functional WP7 handsets begins to blur.
In that case it'll be up to the manufacturers to decide on 3G functionality or not.

[Sor1 Posted Apr 19th 2010 10:45PM]

@kenny goo

I really start to worry about the future of the WinMo 6.5. Many will say it is crap but some of us like it very much and we still haven't found a replacement to another OS. But Microsoft since WinPho7 has never mentioned again anything about the WinMo6.5 :( Makes me really sad. I start to get some disappointment from MS.

[JW Posted Apr 19th 2010 11:23PM]

@kenny goo
That constitutes as trolling? The thing is 6.5.x has no intention of becoming a low end platform, as it already has really high hardware requirements. You'd be hard-pressed to find a 6.5.x phone with "cheap" system requirements. I'd say the Windows Phone 7 is actually a better platform to cut down than 6.5.x.
No trolling here.

[masochist Posted Apr 19th 2010 10:09PM]

I thought 1 GHz CPU is the minimum requirement for WP7? 1 GHz CPU for low end? Or are we talking about OS on Kin phones?

[kb24istrash Posted Apr 19th 2010 10:11PM]

This is because Android is putting the fear in MS and Apple, and to an extent, Symbian.

Android is free, thus any manufacturer whether a large one like HTC, Moto, Samsung all the way to an unknown KIRF brand can do Android.

MS is doing this to grab a share of the emerging markets.

Biggest Loser in this area: Apple

[kingstu Posted Apr 19th 2010 10:11PM]

So does this mean you won't need a pc with Zune to synch it? Does it mean you won't need a windows live id to make use of it? "Walled garden ecosystems" don't seem to be useful in lower-income emerging markets.

[Quikboy Posted Apr 19th 2010 10:18PM]

Whatever happened to Microsoft OneApp?
http://www.microsoft.com/oneapp/

I think they should focus on this, instead of a smartphone OS for the masses. I think most people would be just fine with the basics, plus a few extra nice apps, and not just for emerging nations, but also people that want a nice cheap phone in developed nations too.

[Mike Vick Posted Apr 19th 2010 10:24PM]

I see this working actually, good idea to also have something for emerging markets. Believe it or not, in these countries cell phone use is more widespread because people do not have landlines (lack of infrastructure) so they use cell phones as a primary means of communication. I do take issue with Microsoft over the WP7 series, why is it bad to change your wallpaper? I don't get that part. Will their new skin be removeable? I am not really a social networking type of student (college) but I do like Windows mobile/android and want a device, so which route should I go?

[jjsavage Posted Apr 19th 2010 10:26PM]

They already have a low-end WinPho7 - it's called KIN!

[LeeBongSmith Posted Apr 19th 2010 10:35PM]

Hmmm...with the lower resolution, they could port it to the Zune.

[ounkeo Posted Apr 19th 2010 10:59PM]

Engadget! My comments are dissappearing!

Anyway, this is an exciting move by MS. In the last post about the Kin, I had already stated what the Kin represented for MS. A potential real mobile strategy. http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/editorial-engadget-on-microsoft-kin/

This information today is starting to cement that belief. IF they carry through with this, it will represent a completely (re)new effort from MS and one that is completely more serious than the Windows Mobile days of yore. This is starting to look like a MS with a global mobile strategy.

It's exciting! I don't think many people realize just how important this is. This is a MS with a holistic approach. This is MS not competing with Apple. This is MS going straight at the biggest fish in the Ocean; Nokia.

Apps do not matter. I repeat, apps do not matter!

[huh Posted Apr 19th 2010 11:18PM]

Why's it so uncommon to say open source is a good idea for developing countries. Anything but equal participation would be compromising.

[Johnny Rockets Posted Apr 20th 2010 1:21AM]

Steve Jobs doesn't care about poor people.

- Kanye

[analogx Posted Apr 20th 2010 2:39AM]

Ahhh...
Now i can sleep in peace...
Sometime in future this device will be available in India without importing/unlocking !

[shishi Posted Apr 20th 2010 2:49AM]

Good move Microsoft, taking a bite of both the iPhone (high-end) and the Nokia (high- and low-end) markets.

[foxh8er Posted Apr 20th 2010 7:17AM]

If its quad-band, I'll probably buy this the next time I go there.

[obobo Posted Apr 20th 2010 9:59AM]

UglyStupidPhone7 morphs into CheapUglyStupidPhone7

[obobo Posted Apr 20th 2010 9:59AM]

prepare for failure