Sony is tired of being a single OS manufacturer and it’s confirmed to be in discussions with Microsoft. Xperia Windows Phone anyone?
‘Watch this space’ is the message from Sony as the mobile giant has confirmed that it’s considering the viability of Windows Phone devices in its future. Pierre Perron, head of Sony Mobile Europe, revealed that Sony is looking to move away from single OS strategy, currently producing a large range of Android handsets under its Xperia brand. Mr Perron said: “[Working with Microsoft] is an interesting proposition for us in the PC environment, and we continue our engagement with them.”
Perron hinted at the possibility back in 2012 and this year, in a discussion with TechRadar added: “We are exploring this as part of our discussion in mobile space too. One thing is using the platform [Windows Phone] itself, and another is ’what can we deliver on top of it?”
As with the company’s Android experience, Sony leverages its mobile portfolio as a means to push its vast list of services to its customers, including Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited and select PlayStation branded products. Bringing Windows Phone devices into the mix would make Sony the only other big name to produce such devices besides Nokia, whose mobile phone division has in fact been purchased by Microsoft.
Being a single OS manufacturer isn’t a “viable position in the long term” – Pierre PerronGiven the company’s somewhat rocky success with Android Mr Perron said that being a single OS manufacturer isn’t a “viable position in the long term” but that “we enjoy very much a good collaboration with Google, we’ve been working with them for a long time and have a level of maturity with that discussion, that’s good.”
However, he concluded: “Google has a relationship with direct competitors.” Referring primarily to Samsung, HTC and LG.
Were Sony to act on these discussions it would reflect its early days in the smartphone market, back when the original Xperia handsets (Xperia X1 and X2) came running Windows Mobile. Following its split from communications partner Ericsson, a rogue SE Windows Phone prototype also made its way onto eBay, highlighting the fact that the company has been tempted by Microsoft’s mobile OS before.
There is no confirmed date surrounding a Sony Windows Phone but we’ll keep you updated.
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