Microsoft developing smartphone handset, sources claim

Microsoft is rumoured to be entering the smartphone race against Apple and other manufacturers, according to the claims of recent sources.

Eurogamer reports that a Wall Street Journal investigation unearthed claims that Microsoft is currently consulting Asian component manufacturers in a bid to test its proposed smartphone hardware, as well as considering methods of operation similar to Apple's

One source close to the matter stated that they Microsoft is unsure if the model -which is rumoured to be between four and five inches in length - will go into mass production at all.

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer remained tight-lipped on the matter but offered some comment on the performance of the Windows Phone family, "We're quite happy this holiday [season] going to market hard with Nokia, Samsung and HTC. Whether we had a plan to do something different or we didn't have a plan I wouldn't comment in any dimension."

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