Micromax to offer Windows Phone smartphones later this year

Domestic handset maker Micromax has partnered with Microsoft to offer Windows Phone 8.1-powered smartphones in the country. The deal - that was announced on Wednesday at Microsoft's Build 2014 conference in San Francisco - is expected to intensify competition in the smartphone space in India.

Microsoft Executive VP (Operating Systems) Terry Myerson on Wednesday said: "We are thrilled to welcome 11 new Windows Phone partners since Mobile World Congress in February, with the addition of Micromax and Prestigio just announced today".

Delhi-based Micromax's revenues were Rs. 3,168 crores for the financial year 2012-13 and it expects to clock revenues of $1 billion for the last fiscal-ended March 2014. The mobile manufacturer is expected to release its first Windows Phone smartphone later this year.

Micromax, which is the second largest smartphone player in India, held about 16 percent market share in Q4 2013, according to IDC data. Some its top-selling models were the entry level smartphones like A35 Bolt and A67.

Besides, the software giant has also announced that it will offer its Windows operating system free to smartphone and tablet makers (for devices with screen-sizes less than 9-inches), a move that will help the firm compete with Google's Android and Apple's iOS in the fiercely competitive smart devices market.

This offering also enables hardware partners to provide their customers a one-year subscription to Office 365. The move, though surprising, will led to a fiercer competition in the smartphone and tablets space, especially in the backdrop of its plans to acquire the handset business of Finnish phone maker Nokia for $7.2 billion.

(Also see: Microsoft to acquire Nokia's Devices & Services business in 5.44 billion euros deal)

Microsoft's third CEO, Satya Nadella, since his appointment in February has been emphasising the company's focus on mobile and cloud

Micromax expects to hit $1 billion revenue this fiscal

Helped by growing sales of its affordable and entry-level smartphones, domestic handset maker Micromax expects to hit $1 billion (over Rs. 6,100 crores) in revenues this fiscal, ending March 31.

The New Delhi-headquartered company's revenues were Rs. 3,168 crores for the financial year 2012-13.

Micromax, which is the second largest smartphone player in India, held about 16 percent market share in Q4 2013. Some of the top selling models were the entry level smartphones like A35 Bolt and A67, IDC data showed.

The Canvas range of devices has also done well in terms of volume contribution owing to the marketing campaigns launched around them.

"We have seen huge growth in business, especially in the smartphone category (mid and entry-level). We expect to close this fiscal will a billion in revenues," Micromax co-founder Vikas Jain told PTI.

The firm will continue to launch innovative and affordable products for the market across platforms, he added.

"We will introduce a product based on Android Kitkat within the next 60 days," Jain said.

Asked if the company would introduce a device with Windows Phone OS, he said the company is in discussions with Microsoft on bringing out "products relevant to the Indian market".

Micromax on Thursday announced a strategic partnership with chipset maker MediaTek and telecom services provider Aircel.

"This is aimed at offering the best out-of-the-box experiences for the Indian users and the partnership will see a unique amalgamation of the expertise of the three companies," Jain said.

While, Aircel will offer one stop solutions to address the increasing data demands, MediaTek along-with Micromax's expertise in product design and performance will redefine the user experience creating a win-win ecosystem for the Indian users, he added.

Under this alliance, Aircel will team up with Micromax to introduce a range of offers for the consumers which will be almost equivalent to cost of the device.

Powered by MediaTek chipsets, the devices promise to deliver a seamless and a powerful user experience, while the bundled Aircel offers will drive data growth in the country.

The offers initially will be available across 4 Micromax devices - MMX 377G, Funbook Mini 410i, A090 and X070 - to be available next month.

The co-developed smart devices by the three pioneers will deliver seamless experience for consumers, driving enhanced performance and data experience for customers across the country

Micromax Canvas Blaze HD, Canvas Duet II smartphones listed on company's website

Micromax has listed two new mid-range smartphones - the Canvas Blaze HD and Canvas Duet II - on its official site without pricing or availability details.

Notably, the Micromax Canvas Blaze HD (EG 116) is the successor to the Canvas Blaze which was launched in partnership with telecom service provider MTS in December last year. As of now, there is no word whether the Canvas Blaze HD smartphone is also under the same partnership with MTS.

(Also see: Micromax Canvas Blaze HD vs Micromax Canvas Blaze)