Samsung Electronics has announced a smartphone using Microsoft’s latest mobile software, just a few days before the much anticipated launch of Nokia’s version.
Samsung Electronics has unveiled a smartphone using Microsoft’s latest mobile software, just a few days before the anticipated launch of Nokia’s version.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at the IFA Berlin Electronic Show. Analysts the world over expect mobile companies to turn more towards Windows devices after a US jury decided many of Samsung's phones based on Google Android infringed Apple’s patents.
Samsung, however, did not announce the price of the product.
Finnish handset maker Nokia, once the leader, , will unveil on September 5 its new Lumia line of smartphones using Windows Phone 8.
According to Microsoft’s blog, Samsung's new phone called ATIV S would have 4.8-inch screen, 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera.
Microsoft gave a preview of its Windows Phone 8 software in June and said the first phones would be in the market by October-November.
The new software is built on the same core code as Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 operating system.
However, it is not the same product and Windows 8 will run on tablets and personal computers. It is scheduled to launch towards end-October.
Samsung said the ATIV S smartphone would be in the market by October-November period but did not give an exact date.
Galaxy Note II
Meanwhile, the company is also revealing the Galaxy Note II, an oversized smartphone with 5.5-inch screen, which is narrower but longer than the first version.
The processor would be faster and software has been further adapted for the stylus.
It said the new smartphone will go on sale in Europe and Asia in October.
The company has shipped more than 10 million first-generation Galaxy Note smartphones worldwide since its launch in November 2011.