Microsoft-Built Smartphone Could Irritate Hardware Partners, Harm Nokia

Nerval's Lobster writes "Rumors have circulated for weeks that Microsoft intends to release a smartphone of its own design and manufacture, embracing the strategy that drove Apple's iPhone to such enormous success over the past few years. While releasing a branded smartphone offers several potential benefits—look at the revenue and brand recognition Apple's earned as a result of the iPhone—such a strategy also carries significant risks for Microsoft. First, it could alienate smartphone partners such as Nokia, which would find itself competing against a high-end device backed by Microsoft's sizable marketing dollars. (Given the Finnish phone-maker's already perilous situation, that could prove ruinous.) But a branded smartphone could also convince hardware manufacturers that Microsoft really is 'all in' on building its own devices, which could lead to all sorts of drama."

I can see it now ...

[jasnw]

... from the folks who brought you the Zune ... THE ZONE!

Microsoft would have great economies...

[msauve]

they wouldn't have to pay for full color RGB displays, since a blue screen would be good enough.

Re:I can see it now ...

[antek9]

You all too happily forget that Microsoft already had their own line of phones (yah, well, sorta...), the Kin! In order to re-invigorate that great tradition of (iirc) two weeks, the new MS phone should carry that name on to the future. May I suggest the KIN-KON, the DUN-KIN, and last but not least, the pumped up eight core cpu version, the PUMP-KIN (available in one color, and one color only).

Rectangular, with ...

[PPH]

... rounded corners?

Apple will sue!