12 February 2008
Mobile phone manufacturer Sony Ericsson has announced a new deal with Microsoft, owners of the Windows operating system.
The handset firm announced that Windows software would be used for its new Xperia X1 model, a 3G mobile phone that can access the internet through WiFi services.
Previously, and in common with rivals Nokia, Sony Ericsson mobile phones used the Symbian OS operating system.
Links between the two firms have been so close that Sony Ericsson holds shares in Symbian.
The development deal with Microsoft was announced by the mobile phone firm on the first day of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
"Our vision for the X1 is to deliver a seamless blend of mobile web communication and multimedia entertainment within a distinctive design," said Rikko Sakaguchi, Head of Portfolio and propositions at Sony Ericsson.
The new mobile phone is to be launched in the latter half of this year.