Although Sony Ericsson did use Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile platform for certain smartphones many years ago, neither it nor Sony Mobile Communications utilized Windows Phone operating system when it emerged back in 2010. However, this does not mean that Sony Corp. is not interested in the platform at all. In fact, the company confirmed it was investigating Windows Phone OS.

"Sony’s strategy is one of openness. Microsoft is a Sony partner with the likes of our Vaio laptops and it is integrated onto our tablets. As far as Xperia smartphones go, Android remains the preferred partner, although Sony is not a single partner company. We are currently investigating with the likes of Microsoft the possibility of diversifying our product strategy," said Pierre Perron, managing director of Sony Mobile in the UK and Ireland, in an interview with Mobile Today web-site.

Actually, Sony Ericsson and now Sony Mobile Communications, the company that emerged from SE, never completely ruled out Windows Phone platform in general. A number of functional prototypes of Windows Phone 7.5 "Mango"-based smartphones from Sony Ericsson have ended up on Ebay. Therefore, it appears that Sony has not been only investigating the platform, but actually has been working on Windows Phone-powered products.

Microsoft Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 were clearly not very successful projects of Microsoft Corp. and instead of increasing the company's market share on ultra-portable devices helped to shrink it even further because of many reasons, primarily lack of backwards compatibility with Windows Mobile software, unfamiliar interface and strict requirements that the OS developer imposed on hardware that powers smartphones. Windows 8 promises to fix a lot of issues brought by previous-generation mobile operating systems. Moreover, Windows Phone 8 promises numerous advantages that are direct results of tight integration between Microsoft Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Windows RT and Xbox Live. As a result, there are relatively high chances that Sony Mobile eventually adopts the latest Windows Phone.

Windows Phone 8 and the operating system for PCs will share common networking, security, media and Internet Explorer 10 web browser technology, and a common file system, which will translate in a PC user experience on a mobile phone. In addition, Windows Phone 8 will support multi-core microprocessors to boost performance and improve multitasking; higher resolution screens - 1280x768 and 1280x720; removable MicroSD cards; UEFI boot protocol to enhance security; support for encryption of the whole device; remote management; NFC wireless sharing for photos, Office docs, and contacts; Wallet application to keep debit and credit cards, coupons, boarding passes and other important info; improved maps and other useful features.

Windows Phone 8 has full C and C++ support, making it easier to write apps for multiple platforms more quickly. It also means Windows Phone 8 supports popular gaming middleware such as Havok Vision Engine, Autodesk Scaleform, Audiokinetic Wwise, and Firelight FMOD, as well as native DirectX-based game development. Since WP7-generation phones do not support C/C++, they will not run apps designed specifically for WP8 and better devices.

Windows Phone 8 will support a total of 50 languages; Windows Phone Marketplace, the store for apps and games, will support app downloads in over 180 countries. 

Tags: Sony, Sony Ericsson, Windows Phone, Windows, Microsoft