Microsoft is set to introduce its next-generation smartphone operating system later this year. Windows Phone 7 is a huge departure from earlier versions of Windows Mobile, and will offer integration with social networking services, the Zune media player, and Xbox Live video game platform.

It’s probably a safe bet that handsets running Windows Phone 7 won’t be cheap, since the hardware requirements will be similar to those for a high end Google Android phone or an iPhone.

But it looks like Microsoft also plans to offer a “low cost” version of Windows Phone 7 for emerging markets.

There aren’t a lot of details about the budget version of the OS yet, or what kind of phones it will work on. But a Microsoft exec says the phones will likely have a “different chassis” and may have smaller screens.

via the::unwired

Brad Linder

Brad Linder is editor of Liliputing and Mobiputing. He's been tinkering with mobile tech for decades and writing about it since 2006. Brad has also worked with NPR, WHYY, PRI, and AOL.

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