DigiTimes, via the Chinese Commercial Times, is reporting that Sony Ericsson has placed an order with HTC for its first Windows Mobile smarpthone. The order is for over one million units, enough to account for up to 20 percent of HTC’s total projected shipments.
The new device is expected in the second half of 2008. Aside from running Windows Mobile, no details are known about it.
If this rumour turns out to be true, it would be a very interesting move as Sony Ericsson is a Symbian shareholder and its devices have traditionally used the UIQ interface. An order for a million devices suggests that it would be more than just testing the waters and it could mark a significant change in direction and philosophy at Sony-Ericsson.