Microsoft said to front Windows Phone makers with up to $2.6 billion, Samsung might score the lion's share
Now that it acquired Nokia's mobile devices section, Redmond will allegedly try to expand the Windows Phone ecosystem additionally by fronting other manufacturers with cold hard cash, enticing them to turn their creativity towards making phones with its mobile operating system, too, not only Android. Makes sense, since Nokia accounts for the vast majority of Windows Phones now, while Samsung, Sony, and the other majors, are shut out.
The distribution of Microsoft resources will allegedly go as follows - as much as $1.2 billion will be given to Samsung for the creation of its 1080p Windows Phone 8 device. Sony is to eventually get $500 million for its rumored WP handset, Huawei will be fronted with $600 million to swoop on the Chinese market, and the rest of the gang will see Microsoft making it rain with up to $300 million.
It is not exactly clear what Microsoft will be giving the money for, but part of it might come in the form of waved licensing fees for Windows Phone, which can be $15-$25 per device, so phone makers will be able to get Redmond's mobile OS for free, just like they do with Android. Microsoft could also support them with development costs and marketing efforts, to name a few. In any case, it's clear that this year we'll witness a significant push on the Windows Phone front, and Nokia might be only part of the equation this time.
source: EldarMurtazin (Twitter)
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