Microsoft to launch Windows Phone 7 this year
By IANSWednesday, February 9, 2011
HYDERABAD - Microsoft plans to launch Windows Phone 7 in India this year. The software major’s India development centre has fine-tuned the innovative applications of the search engine Bing for its global launch in April, an official said here Wednesday.
“It will be in a few months but the date has not yet been decided,” Amit Chatterjee, managing director of Microsoft India Development Centre (MSIDC), told reporters.
He did not agree that Windows Phone 7 already launched abroad is heavy and slow. “A number of products are to suit the demands of a billion satisfied customers all around the world. We are making all efforts to give them a brand new visual experience,” he said.
He said the device allows Microsoft to bring together its assets like Office, Explorer and search engine Bing. The applications range from simple to those with more work flow.
Windows Phone 7 has already been launched in the US and other countries with its global partner HTC. The device may be available in India for Rs.35,000.
Windows Phone 7 and Bing are two of the eight focus areas of MSIDC.
The centre is also focusing on TV, Iphone, Xbox, cloud computing, mobile office, and enterprise related applications.
Chattterjee, who recently succeeded Srini Koppulu as the MD, termed Bing as a decision engine, quite different from the other search engines.
On cloud computing, Chatterjee said it offered great opportunity and MSIDC has a team focusing only on cloud computing.
Stating that MSIDC is also working on a few India-specific applications in addressing the issues of mobility, Chatterjee said the centre has contributed to 270 patents filed during last five years.
He denied that Microsoft downsizing workforce elsewhere had any impact on MSIDC here. “We will continue our robust campus hiring. We will continue to recruit 150 to 170 graduates every year from the campuses across India,” he said.
One of Microsoft’s largest product development centres outside Redmond, MSIDC along with its Bangalore unit has a strong team of 1650 employees and is developing new products and technologies for the global Microsoft portfolio.
