Rumours continue that Sony Mobile will launch at least Windows Phone handset in 2014. This time, famed Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin, is claiming that Microsoft is offering support to the tune of $500m to Sony to help develop at least one Windows Phone handset. Murtazin outlines that Microsoft will be supporting a number of other manufacturers such as Samsung ($1.2bn), Huawei ($600m) and ‘Others’ ($300m).
Obviously none of this is verified information and we don’t know exactly what this ‘support money’ entails. Is it a cash down payment, is it help towards marketing or is it a reduction in Android licensing fees? Anyway, it’s perhaps not a surprise to see Microsoft giving a helping hand to Sony, especially considering this would be their first foray into the Windows Phone 8 platform. We’ll keep you posted on further developments.
Windows phone 8 in 2014 – Samsung 1.2 bln USD, Sony 0.5 bln, Huawei 0.6 bln, others – 0.3 bln. Thats "support" from MS to develop one (1!)hs
— Eldar Murtazin (@eldarmurtazin) January 15, 2014
Microsoft going to pay to each company for creating one wp8 model. No matter how they call this money, its not a real business for MS
— Eldar Murtazin (@eldarmurtazin) January 15, 2014
For instance, Sony with 0.5 bln from Microsoft already profitable in 2014, will meat internal goals in terms of money around September :)
— Eldar Murtazin (@eldarmurtazin) January 15, 2014