Microsoft’s first attempt at making its own mobile phones
wasn’t exactly a success. In fact, it would be fair to say that the Microsoft KIN was one of the genuine flaming-bus-crash-into-an-orphanage disasters of recent mobile phone industry history. But Microsoft apparently thinks it’s older and wiser now, and it wants to try making its own phones again, according to Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund. Per Business Insider, Sherlund sent out a note today stating that Steve Ballmer and his merry band “may be working with a contract manufacturer to develop their own handset for Windows Phone 8.” What’s more, Sherman said that “it is unclear to us whether this would be a reference platform or whether this may be a go-to market Microsoft branded handset.” Given the recent hurt feelings of Windows OEMs over the release of the Microsoft-made Surface tablet, it’s inevitable that Microsoft’s Windows Phone partners will bellyaching about a home-spun Windows smartphone as well if Sherlund’s report pans out.
