Microsoft Bringing Windows 8 to Phones?

Just a couple of months back, Microsoft released Windows Phone 7.5, also known as Mango. However, it seems Windows Phone 7 may not be the whole story when it comes to Microsoft's cell phone strategy. According to statements made by Microsoft co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, the company may bring Windows 8 to cell phones.

"We've got broad initiatives driving Windows down to the phone with Windows 8," Business Insider cites Steve Ballmer as saying at a recent shareholder meeting.

However, Microsoft has since released an official transcript that claims Ballmer's words have been somewhat skewed by the media. Redmond says Ballmer never said Windows 8 was coming to the phone, just that the company was driving Windows down to the phone.

"We've got broad Windows initiatives driving Windows down to the phone," the transcript reads. "With Windows 8, you'll see incredible new form factors powered by Windows from tablets, small, large, pens, smaller, bigger, room-sized displays."

From what we've seen so far, Windows 8 certainly has a very Windows Phone feel to it, especially when you look at the Metro UI next to Windows Phone 7's live tiles interface. To that end, it would make sense and Ballmer's comments aren't very surprising. And, even going by Redmond's official transcript, Microsoft clearly plans to put Windows 8 on a whole host of new form-factors, so phones shouldn't be completely out of the question. Have a listen to the audio for yourself and let us know what you think Ballmer meant:

  • digiex
    It would be another great innovation from Microsoft since MS-DOS.
    Reply
  • Specter0420
    Duh! Very old news...
    Reply
  • thrasher32
    Come on Microsoft, you have tens of thousands of people working for you, why are you playing catch-up instead of actually trying to be innovative and bring something new and unique to the market? We don't need another smartphone OS, there are already too many. Hello? McFly?? (knocks on Ballmers head)
    Reply
  • soo-nah-mee
    I think it was kind of assumed (at least for me) W8 would be on phones. WP7 looks almost identical to the W8 screenshots I've seen.

    I'm thinking of W8 as a blend of W7 and WP7.
    Reply
  • Netherscourge
    Wasn't the whole POINT of Windows 8 to bring it to Phones and possibly other Microsoft mobile devices?

    Hence the really ugly widget-looking interface?
    Reply
  • CaedenV
    ya, after playing with win8 on my netbook I would love to have it on a phone; even if you had to take away the desktop portion and just have metro for phone devices. It would be one step closer to what I am waiting for!

    In the future I want a phone that is just an SSD with a touch screen, and when I hook it up to a PC through thunderbolt or USB3 then have it take over the hardware of the machine. This way I could have all of my programs, and save files in one handy portable device, and be able to use some of them on the portable device. But when I want to do video editing I can just go to the editing computer, plug in, and then let it fly. Then when I go to a client's house for any last words or ideas on a project they can see exactly what I am working with without having to lug a laptop or computer around. Having the same OS on multiple platforms is just one step closer to that goal!
    Reply
  • hoof_hearted
    If I can play Skyrim on my phone then I'm sold.
    Reply
  • loomis86
    say goodnight apple
    Reply
  • memadmax
    We will see...

    So far, all I'm seeing is microsoft trying to pull the same "integration" tactics that Apple is doing between the phone, web(cloud), and ur desktop pc....

    IF MS can do it better(without the damn near communist restraints on the system like apple does)
    Then MS might have a winner if they can convince people to take the plunge that are also willing to forget the previous flops....
    Reply
  • willwayne
    Was there ever any doubt? Win8 was designed for Tablet with concessions for desktop. It only seems natural that, with its smaller footprint, it would also be destined for cellphones or other resource poor devices.

    It's all about code reusability, and this model has it in spades (and is not unique to MS). MS is trickling down to smaller devices, should we expect an official Android desktop environment?
    Reply