The Latest in IT Security

Microsoft has been considering offering a free version of Windows Phone to smartphone makers for months now, and it appears the company has signed its first free license deals recently. The Times of India reports that Microsoft is waiving the Windows Phone license fee for two Indian phone makers — Karbonn and Lava (Xolo). Microsoft has been reportedly talking to the pair since last year, but agreements to build Windows Phones only came after the license fee was dropped. While Microsoft refuses to discuss individual license deals, its clear that any elimination of fees is linked directly to the companys efforts to compete with Googles Android operating system. Microsoft was said to be discussing cutting or eliminating the Windows Phone license fee for HTC, providing the phone maker agreed to offer the operating system as a “separate option” on its Android handsets.