Microsoft may release the reference device running Windows Phone 8 this year

According to news site DigiTimes, Microsoft will work with providers to develop chipset reference devices running Windows Phone 8. The move is aimed at attracting Chinese phone companies to participate in the market Windows Phone 8 mid-range and low range in the domestic as well as in other emerging markets, thereby expanding the market for operating systems Microsoft's mobile. Sources revealed that Qualcomm will be a supporting partner of Microsoft to build the template referenced by the company's SoC has been widely used to date on the Windows Phone. Participation in this project has MediaTek and other chipset vendors with names in China. Reference time of launch equipment could fall into the middle of this year, the model was designed based on the prototype is expected to be available in the second half of 2013. According to DigiTimes, ZTE, Huawei, Lenovo are planning to launch Windows Phone 8 devices this year.