Lenovo to build custom Windows Phone 8 handset

With Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 7.5, Microsoft had a set of strict requirements that handset manufacturer's had to follow. That is why no Windows Phone model had a 4.7 inch screen (outside of the HTC Titan, of course) or  dual-core processor, among other things. A lot of that will change with Windows Phone 8 which will also allow for HD displays, enhanced multitasking and more. And while the update adds more functionality, most things will remain under Microsoft's thumb.

To that end, WPDang says that Lenovo has sent a number of R&D executives to meet with Microsoft in an attempt to negotiate more freedom for designing the UI of a Lenovo Windows Phone 8 model. For the recently launched Android powered  Lenovo LePhone S880, the OEM had spent plenty of time and money on the UI, and a custom app store. With its Windows Phone 8 model, Lenovo would want to keep as much of the customized build as possible. Microsoft might give in with the app store, but allowing Lenovo to go ahead with customizing the UI will be a hard sell for the OEM.

source: WPDang (translated), WPSauce via WMPoweruser