Phone makers’ lack of enthusiasm for Windows Phone is no secret, but LG has made its disinterest official.
LG said in a recent earnings call that it has no plans to release more Windows Phones, because they’re not working out financially, WPCentral reports. “The total unit of Windows Phone sold in the global market is not a meaningful figure,” the company said.
Although LG will continue research and development efforts on Windows Phone, the company plans to focus on Android devices for now.
LG was one of Windows Phones’ early supporters, having launched the LG Quantum on AT&T and the LG Optimus 7 overseas in 2010. The company hasn’t introduced any new Windows Phones in the United States since then.
The lack of support from LG isn’t great news for Microsoft, but it’s not tragic. Ultimately, wireless carriers are the ones who decide which phones to sell and promote in their stores. AT&T is putting lots of marketing muscle behind Nokia’s Lumia 900, and Verizon is now interested in pushing Windows Phone as an alternative to Android and Apple’s iPhone, so Microsoft’s chances of success are improving.
Still, Microsoft could use a more diverse selection of hardware. Beyond Nokia’s well-received Lumia phones, only HTC has launched a new Windows Phone — the HTC Titan II — this year. Phone makers are likely waiting for Windows Phone 8, codenamed “Apollo,” which will reportedly allow for dual-core processors and a broader range of screen resolutions. Existing Windows Phones might not get upgraded to Apollo, so Microsoft’s mobile OS could be in for a cold spell until later this year.
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