Qualcomm has highlighted the importance of the Windows operating system in the development of next generation smartphones.
The chipset supplier speaks from a position of strength with its MSM7xxx-series and Snapdragon chipsets being the silicon platform for several Windows phones, including a new smartphone enabled with FLO TV.
This is Qualcomm's CDMA-based mobile TV technology.
“Smartphones are quickly becoming a primary means of accessing the mobile Internet for a growing segment of consumers, and thus the capabilities that can be delivered become more crucial than ever before,” said Luis Pineda, senior v-p of marketing and product management for Qualcomm CDMA Technologies.
Behind this there seems to be evidence of Microsoft building its silicon links with Qualcomm in the mobile market. This coulds be significant for Intel, Microsoft's long-time 'partner' in the PC market, which is building its own presence in mobile phone chipsets based on Atom.
See: Video: Qualcomm - Liberating mobile device design through integration
“Qualcomm chipsets provide the performance and technology necessary to deliver on the vision of a personalised, productive phone that ensures real-time information and powerful applications are always at a person’s fingertips,” said Tom Gibbons from Microsoft's mobile communications business group.
Qualcomm's ARM Cortex processor-based SnapDragon 2 chipset is also used in netbooks, which is another big focus for Microsoft.