Even though unofficially, but Microsoft Corp. is looking forward to attract developers of applications for webOS into development of software for Windows Phone 7 operating system. The company is willing to provide tools, free phones and other necessary equipment to software designers.

“To any published webOS developers: we will give you what you need to be successful on Windows Phone [platform] including free phones, development tools, and training, etc.,” said Brandon Watson of Microsoft using Twitter social network.

Based on recent findings from Gartner market research firm, the share of Microsoft Windows Phone- and Windows Mobile-based smartphones decreased to 1.6% in Q2 2011, down from 4.9% a year before. In fact, WP and WM handsets are currently behind Samsung's proprietary Bada (1.9%), RIM's Blackberry (11.7%) and Apple's iOS (18.2%) despite of the fact that they are available from numerous vendors. HP’s webOS-based smartphones command less than 1% of the market of advanced mobile phones.

The reason why Microsoft is looking forward webOS developers is not completely clear. HP’s webOS is even less popular than Microsoft’s own OS for mobile phones and is on a massive decline.

Officially Microsoft did not comment on the news-story.

Tags: Microsoft, Windows, Windows Phone, Apple, Google, iOS, Android