Microsoft could land yet another Windows Phone partner, but at a price. Motorola recently said that it is interested in working with Microsoft on its mobile line, but only provided that it receives an agreement on the level of what the Redmond giant has inked with Nokia.
That is likely a deal-breaker, as it it almost certain that to land Nokia, Microsoft had to make certain exclusive concessions.
Motorola’s CEO Sanjay Jha said that his company has “Clearly, all of [its] focus […] on Android,” but that the firm is “completely open to the notion of Windows as a platform.” TNWmicrosoft reached out to Microsoft for comment, and the company declined to make a statement.
Mr. Jha had more to say on Windows Phone, stating that there was only room in the market for one of Windows Phone, webOS, and RIM to survive. Given the massive cash advantage that Microsoft has over RIM, and cognizant that webOS controls nearly none of the market, that prediction seems to bode well for Windows Phone.
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That is, of course, provided that RIM continues its historic slide.
For now, Motorola’s comments reflect an openness among currently non-participating mobile OEMs to enter into the Windows Phone domain, which is a vote of confidence of a sort. Of course, if Windows Phone had performed markedly better in the months since its launch, it is likely that Motorola would have been compelled to produce a handset running the operating system sans special concessions, but at least the company is not opposed to Microsoft’s smartphone line.
What exact conditions Motorola wants, if Microsoft could meet them given its obligations to Nokia, and if Microsoft even cares overmuch are not known at this time. As we learn more, we will bring it to you.
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