Microsoft (MSFT) May Radically Change Windows Phone's UI With Next Refresh

December 12, 2013 3:14 PM EST
While Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) Windows Phone 8 still needs to grab stronger footing in some markets, might the company be able to accelerate that with a revamped operating system.

Rumors have been swirling about Windows Phone 9 (WP9) today, with a few points being made. First, WP9 will merge Windows Phone with Windows RT and that the platform would be partially compatible with WP8.

Additionally, WP9 will allegedly see a user interface change (UI). The new UI will look more like Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android and less like the Metro-style of Windows 8. That could mean multiple home screens and softer icons, among other user features.

Beyond just WP9, Microsoft isn't going to be content with making all the handsets in-house following the purchase of Nokia's (NYSE: NOK) Devices & Services unit. WMPoweruser thinks that Microsoft will back Samsung with $1 billion for the company to keep producing devices that run Windows Phone.

Today's report comes following news earlier in the week that Nokia might adopt Android for an upcoming smartphone. Read more on that here.

Samsung produced Windows Phone-equipped smartphones in the past, with its flagship model being the ATIV. While the company might still be making the devices, it hasn't made the operating system its center of focus.

Shares of Microsoft are down 0.5 percent.


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