11/03/2008, 7:45am, EST
Monday, November 3rdLG, Microsoft tie up in Windows Mobile deal
LG and Microsoft this morning said they have both signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a strategic link between the two companies in mobile devices. The deal will see the two companies team up in research and development of devices as well as the creation of apps, devices, and marketing campaigns. LG makes clear that the deal centers around Windows Mobile and will take advantage of Microsoft's software experience.
The deal gives LG "critical momentum" in treating cellphones as mobile computers, according to LG chief Yong Nam, who signed the Memorandum along with Microsoft head Steve Ballmer.
No mention has been made of any financial transactions as part of the agreement.
Reaching a deal with LG is potentially critical to Microsoft, which has been struggling to increase its share of the smartphone market after inroads by Apple and Research in Motion as well as the introduction of Google's Android platform, which has seen potential shifts away from Windows Mobile by ASUS and Motorola as they consider the low-cost, open-source operating system as an alternative to either Microsoft's legacy mobile software or to limited, non-smartphone operating systems.
Filed under: industry, mobile phones
Other story tags: Microsoft, Windows Mobile, LG
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A "deal?" Hardly!
Yeah, I definitely wouldn't call marrying a loathed, failing mobile OS to your hardware a deal. I don't care what price you get it at, it's just going to lead to the cancer that kills you in the end.
Of course, what other real alternatives would LG have at this point? With the iPhone looming, taking over the market, you've got to do something. Perhaps this "deal" is more an issue of desperation.
Good luck to them, all the same.
There Goes...
There goes one of the only good things about LG. Their phones have always been sub par, now they can load a sub par OS on them as well.
LG
LG stands for what?
Low Grade
Lousy Garbage
At least they're in good company getting in bed with Microsoft.
Psycho
Uncle Fester is lookin' a little psycho in that picture.
RE: A "deal?" Hardly!
LG could've jumped in bed with Google, it would've been a much better move than Microsoft's useless mobile OS.
But maybe MS is up to something... I don't know... like turning on their Apple copier.
A perfect match
LG = maker of crap hardware
MS = maker of crap software
To be fair, none of us have seen Win 7 Mobile, so maybe it's awesome ... uh, yeah ... sure ... as Judy Tenuda says, "IT COULD HAPPEN!"
Another happy "partner".
I wish I could convince MY customers that we were partners. Microsoft is just a parts vendor.
LG buys memory chips, CPUs, screens, and many other parts, but somehow their OS vendor is their PARTNER?
LG bought a lot of licenses from MS, and end users should care... why? (Hint: they just want a phone that doesn't lock up every single day.)