Microsoft’s Chinese Windows Phone devices will launch in early 2012.
The software giant confirmed on Saturday that it expects to deliver its Windows Phone 7 devices in China during the first half of 2012. Microsoft had originally revealed earlier this year that it was planning to make devices available by the end of 2011. The company never set an official launch date but PCWorld reported on Monday that Microsoft will now launch its devices in the first half of 2012.
The software giant has reportedly picked an initial retail launch partner in China to distribute the devices. Suning, a high street electronics retailer with 700 stores in China, is expected to partner with Microsoft for the Windows Phone launch. Lenovo is believed to be part of Microsoft’s Chinese Windows Phone plans. Microsoft also recently expanded its Windows Phone Marketplace to India and opened up its developer support in China. Windows Phone developers in China can submit applications to the Marketplace but end user support has not yet been enabled. Microsoft is expected to launch its Marketplace in China in early 2012 alongside a handset launch.
Leaked images of a Lenovo Windows Phone emerged last month. Lenovo confirmed the authenticity of the images recently and revealed that the company plans to bring the device to market in the second half of 2012 in China. Rumors and speculation on Lenovo’s Windows Phone plans has existed for at least a year. Lenovo’s LePhone Product Manager, Yue Chen, confirmed the authenticity of the leaked images in an interview last week. “We are indeed currently considering a Windows Phone-based LePhone product, and we already have a clear release schedule,” said Chen. “It will be released during the second half of 2012,” he added.
Chinese Windows Phone launch still on track for early 2012 originally appeared at WinRumors.com.
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