Tech giant Microsoft has partnered with India’s homegrown handset maker Micromax to offer Windows 8.1-powered operating system smartphones in the country, which is considered one of the leaders in emerging markets for smart devices. The deal is expected to intensify competition in the smartphone and tablets space.
Micromax, which is the second largest smartphone player in India, held about 16 per cent market share in Q4 2013. Some its top selling models were the entry level smartphones like A35 Bolt and A67, IDC data showed.
Besides, the software giant has also announced that it will offer its Windows OS free to smartphone and tablet makers, a move that will help the firm compete with Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS in the fiercely competitive smart devices market.