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Since Xbox, Surface tablets are Microsoft’s first venture to bring out a product whose hardware as well as the software is packaged and marketed by Microsoft. Many have called this a lesson that Microsoft has learnt from Apple, who has long been shipping out its own hardware and software in the form of products like iPad and iPhone.

In fact, some have now speculated that Microsoft’s decision to do hardware too on its own may not be limited to just the Surface tablets that it has recently unveiled.

According to Rick Sherlund, who is an analyst with Nomura, sources inside the industry have divulged that Microsoft is also working with a handset manufacturer to create a Windows Phone 8 smartphone of its own. However, what is unclear is that does Microsoft have plans of launching it commercially or will it be simply a reference handset, say for the developers.

Sherlund further states that Microsoft’s decision to unveil a tablet of its own, despite having partnerships with a  lot of tablet vendors, did surprise some and that given this, he wouldn’t be surprised if Microsoft indeed decides to bring out a smartphone of its own.

What makes this move logical is that Nokia has been called by many as on the very verge of collapsing. And if indeed it faces such a happening, Microsoft will be out of the smartphone game immediately, since it has been heavily reliant on Nokia to push the Windows  Phone platform. Thus, it would make sense that Microsoft prepare a plan B for Windows Phone devices by creating a smartphone of its own.

Source: Business Insider

Courtesy: iClarified

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