Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that it had signed up nine new hardware partners to Windows Phone, including Lenovo, LG and ZTE. But what of the four manufacturers that already signed up to the Windows Phone platform?
A couple of days ago, HTC confirmed that it remains committed to the OS, and that new handsets are on the way. Nokia is guaranteed to remain a Windows Phone vendor as Microsoft will soon take over its devices and services business, but neither Huawei nor Samsung have yet confirmed their plans for the platform.
Samsung"s ATIV S was one of the launch devices for Windows Phone 8
Still, there have been continued rumours of a new Samsung Windows Phone on the way, and thanks to reliable leaker @evleaks, that device now has a name. The device, known also by its model number SM-W750V or codename "Huron", will be sold on Verizon in the US, and will be known as the Samsung ATIV SE.
Verizon"s Samsung Huron to be branded ATIV SE at retail.
— @evleaks (@evleaks) February 26, 2014
Samsung launched the ATIV S with Windows Phone 8 in late 2012 - largely based on the Galaxy S III - and later gave the device a modest refresh as the ATIV S Neo. The company"s only other Windows Phone 8 handset was the mid-range Odyssey.
The ATIV SE is said to run Windows Phone 8.1, which means it is unlikely that we"ll hear anything about it officially until after Microsoft formally announces the updated OS at its BUILD conference in early April.
Source: @evleaks