LG may have just announced the first of three Android phones, but don’t let that fool you. The Korean manufacturer has just signed a deal that commits it to making Windows Mobile the primary platform for its smartphones.
LG will produce around 50 new Windows Mobile devices as a result of the deal with Microsoft. By 2012, LG will have launched at least 26 new phones, all running Microsoft’s mobile OS.
“The Windows platform brings flexible and customer-friendly software that ties into the Web and the PC, giving our phones a wide range of new capabilities to address an increasing number of segments and markets,” said LG’s CEO, Yong Nam.
Microsoft is working closely with LG to ensure that the Windows Mobile software integrates very tightly with LG’s hardware and the two companies have set up joint research and development teams to push for this goal.
Despite this commitment to WInMo, LG is keeping its options open to a degree – the company is a member of the Open Handset Alliance, behind Open Source upstart Android.
via InformationWeek
I think it is wise for LG to offer both WinMo & Android devices:
1. Android will keep pressure on Microsoft to keep licensing fees low.
2. Android will allow LG to produce very low cost smartphones ($20? for WinMo is significant for low end devices).
3. Android offers the ultimate flexibility for customization.