Report: Samsung testing Windows Phone 8.1 for new 2015 handsets

A report out of Korea on Monday (due to the difference in time, the work week has already started in the country), says that Samsung is currently in the process of testing the stability of Windows Phone 8.1 in order to release cheaper Windows Phone powered handsets in 2015. According to an unnamed Samsung official working on the project, "Samsung has run pilot programs on the stability of Windows 8.1 software on devices. It is interested in promoting Windows mobiles."

The last Windows Phone produced by Sammy was the Verizon exclusiveSamsung ATIV SE, which offered flagship specs for Windows Phone fans. But that phone was released last April. What is holding up the next Samsung built Windows Phone model is litigation between Microsoft and the manufacturer over royalties. Last October, Microsoft sued Samsung for $6.9 million. The software giant claimed that Samsung owed them this amount in interest, because it was late paying $1 billion in royalties. Microsoft receives a royalty from Samsung for every Android flavored device it produces. Both firms signed a contract in 2011 agreeing to the terms. Samsung claims that paying Microsoft the royalties as agreed to in the signed contract, would violate anti-trust regulations following Microsoft's purchase of Nokia Devices and Services.

The anonymous Samsung official says the production of a new Samsung branded Windows Phone all depends on whether both companies can bury the hatchet and settle the suit. If that happens, the earliest we will see a new model would be the third quarter of this year.



source: KoreaTimes via Gizmodo