For a few months, Microsoft has been thinking of allowing some Indian smartphone manufacturers to allow their Windows Phone operating systems. Microsoft has been in talks with Karbonn and Xolo (a Lava product) to make cheaper Windows-based smartphones in India. Finally, in an agreement, Microsoft has been reported to have dropped the licensing fee and offer the Windows Phone operating system for free to the pair.
Waiving off the licensing fee for their premium phone operating system, Windows surely seems to compete with the rival’s free Android OS. Microsoft has also been discussing with HTC to cut the licensing fee, provided the manufacturer agreed to offer the users as a separate option on its Android handsets. Presently, Karbonn has been in the news that it will offer a dual-booting (dual operating system) handset, which will feature Windows and Android operating systems.
Microsoft has also been noted reducing its licensing fees for its PC OS version for OEM manufacturers in order to promote and produce more low-cost tablets and desktops.
Presently it is reported that Microsoft is charging around $5 to $15 for each handset, which is loaded with Windows Phone operating system. The waiving-off of the licensing fee purely states Microsoft wanting to tap higher sales in the market.
