Microsoft is expected to start releasing the "Mango" software update for its Windows Phone platform starting Sept. 1, according to a rumour on the blog Pocket-Lint, at least a month before Nokia is expected to be ready with a compatible handset.
 |
|
Click here to see this alleged video of Nokia's first Windows Phone device. |
While this decision seems set to please handset vendors anxious to use the update to combat Apple's iOS and Google's Android, Nokia would appear to have been sidelined after many observers thought the Finnish company would be the first to use the new software.
However, it would seem that Microsoft wants to make the launch an international event by aligning the release date with the giant IFA exhibition, the largest consumer electronics event in Europe. This would allow Acer, LG, Samsung and ZTE to showcase their Mango handsets to a wide audience prior to the Nokia device making its debut toward the end of October.
Pocket-Lint, citing unnamed sources, said that Microsoft plans to release the updated software to users starting Sept. 1. In a Twitter post, Windows Phone Vice President Joe Belfiore said only: "Sept. 1? Just a rumor."
However, a report carried by Cellular News says that the Taiwanese OEM handset manufacturer, Compal, is rumoured to be ready to start shipments Nokia's first Windows Phone device next month. According to the rumor, Compal will deliver 2 million Windows Phone smartphones to Nokia in the fourth quarter of this year.
Separately, Gartner has reported that Microsoft's market share of the smartphone OS market has plummeted compared to a year ago. The market research firm said that the company's share of the smartphone sector fell to 1.6 per cent of the market in the second quarter of 2011, compared to 4.9 per cent in the year-ago quarter.
For more:
- see this Pocket-Lint post
- see this Cellular News article
- see this Gartner release
Related Articles:
Rumor Mill: Nokia to launch $127M Windows Phone marketing campaign
Nokia's N9 MeeGo smartphone not destined for UK and US markets
Microsoft's Window Phone revenue tops just $600M in 2011
Apple passes Nokia in smartphone volumes
Nokia's Elop dismisses Microsoft takeover rumors, expounds on WP7