Microsoft Corp. is facing down both Apple Inc. and Google Inc.’s coming onslaught of Android devices, but they require two different competitive tactics. So Microsoft plans to take a split position in the market with two versions of Windows Mobile, according to a report.
Citing unnamed manufacturing sources, Taiwan’s DigiTimes reports that Windows Mobile 6.5 will come in October, with Windows Mobile 7 arriving next February. But rather than phase out version 6.5, Microsoft will simply lower the price and use the platform to anchor lower-end devices to compete with the cheaper Linux-based Android OS. Version 7 will be used to make higher-end smartphones that can compete with the iPhone.
