Microsoft is doubtful yet accepting Nokia with Android

In an ongoing event MWC(Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona, Things got awkward for short moment on stage when Microsoft executives were asked about the possibility of Nokia using Android.

Joe Belfiore, vice president of operating systems for Windows, looked to Nick Parker, who runs the world original equipment manufacturer group. Parker looked back, with both wanting to defer to the other.

Atlast Belfoire spoke, "Some things we're excited about, some things we're less excited about," Belfiore said during Microsoft's Mobile World Congress press conference on Sunday. Adding, "Whatever they do, we're very supportive of them."

"It's great to sit there and compete," Parker replied.

Nokia is expected to launch a smartphone running Android, breaking commitment with Microsoft and Windows Phone. Nolia and Microsoft have a strong relationship, particularly with devices head Stephen Elop, Nokia is responsible for a vast majority of sales of Windows Phone devices.

Nokia to launch Android suggest that Microsoft may keep Nokia independent. Microsoft has to show that it is support Nokia inorder to balance its relationship with its other partners.

"What they do is what they do," Belfiore said.

On Sunday, Microsoft announced a number of new companies supporting Windows Phone, including LG, ZTE, and Lenovo, as well as iPhone-manufacturer Foxconn.

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Computer Manufacturer gets 70% off on Windows 8.1

Microsoft Corporation reduced 70% of the original price of Windows 8.1 for computer manufacturers of low cost computers and tablets to compete with Google Inc Chrombooks.

Computer manufacturer will charge $15 to license Windows 8.1 and pre-install with the devices under selling price $250, compared with the standard fee of $50. If any product will meets this price limit will get discount, with no restrictions on the type or size of the device.

According to Tami Reller, Head of Marketing for Microsoft, sales of Microsoft Windows 8, including its latest version Windows 8.1, is slow in comparision with Windows 7. More than 200 million Windows 8 licenses were sold in 15 months whereas, 240 million Windows 7 licenses were sold within a year.

As smartphones and tablets sales increased in last two years, the PC sales has gradually decreased. Sales of tablets are set to overtake PCs worldwide next year.

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Chipmakers are focusing on China in MWC 2014

The world's popular mobile brands are coming together at the premier mobile industry event MWC(Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona, Spain.

MWC will be a war to stay on top of others between many different mobile companies.

Companies like Qualcomm, MediaTek, Marvell, Intel and Broadcomm are looking forward for the oppurtunities as China brands and telecoms carrier such as China Mobile moves on to 4G LTE(Long Term Evolution), this gives Intel and other chipmakers to knock out Qualcomm, The main supplier of LTE chip.

Chipmakers will debut the new upcoming LTE oriented microprocessors which are designed to consume low power and low price, ideal for China's mid range phones.

Qualcomm is sending pre-shows e-mailsin Chinese, posted translation of signs around its display area and created a Chinese version smartphone app to attract Chinese visitors. "We're going to have a lot of demos targeted at China, a lot of demos on LTE," said Executive Vice President Cristiano Amon. "Qualcomm looks at the opportunity of LTE and the smartphone migration in emerging markets as a very big opportunity."

Taiwan's MediaTek, despite being top player in smartphone chip is launching a brand campaign aiming 75,000 attendees in the MWC event, with ads displayed at convention center, airports and around the city.

Qualcomm being a sole provider of LTE chips for four years is expecting more demands as the adoptation of LTE in more countries.

"They're very good at LTE," MediaTek Chief Marketing Officer Johan Lodenius said. "What's in our favor is that all the operators worldwide are really looking for an alternative. They don't want to be single-sourced with Qualcomm."

Marvell, California based company has made progress in its LTE oriented chips and is aiming at the upcoming low-priced phones in China market. Broadcom also debuted its new LTE chip aimed at mid to low priced smartphones.

On Sunday, Qualcomm unveiled two upcoming mobile chips targeting China and 10 new Qualcomm based phones, which includes several LTE phones.

On Monday, Intel announced a new LTE chip being tested with major wireless companies and can be used in smartphones this year. "There are a lot of people making a lot of noise about getting these things to market. We're really getting ours to market," Coppernoll said. "We have made radical shifts in progress and improvements in our products and our working relationships."

Microsoft is also keen to attract China handset market. It announced a new reference design program to make it easy for manufacturers to quickly launch Windows-based smartphones using Qualcomm chips.

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