Asus has confirmed that it is currently considering launching new smartphones running Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 operating system, with the possibility of a Windows-based Padfone too.
The company, which has in the past produced Android smartphones, but is more famed for its excellent tablets and notebook computers, spoke to the Wall Street Journal recently. Benson Lin, corporate vice president of mobile communication products at Asus, confirmed that the company is “interested in making Windows Phones”.
Lin also spoke of the company’s recently launched Padfone, which combines a high-end Android smartphone with a 10-inch high resolution tablet as a docking system. He noted that such a system could be transferred to the Windows operating system; “I think it makes sense for Windows 8”.
At the moment we’re starting to see the first waves of Windows RT tablets, with the Microsoft Surface Pro expected to kickstart a second wave of full-blown Windows 8 slates. In theory Asus could use its Padfone model to transition Windows Phone 8 to a larger screen by using a tablet dock, which would alleviate the need for both a Windows Phone and a Windows tablet.
If Asus were to launch a Windows-based Padfone, we would expect it to wait for the next major update to Windows Phone, which is codenamed ‘Windows Blue’. This OS update is expected to usher in Windows Phone 8 on smaller phones and the ability to link Windows 8 and Windows Phone to work together, which would be perfect for the Padfone.
Which would you prefer; a Padfone with Android 4.1 or a Padfone with Windows Phone 8/Windows 8?