SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Microsoft Corp. is expected to unveil a pair of mobile phones geared for younger users at a public event scheduled for next Monday, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Microsoft phones are expected to feature touch screens and keyboards, and will represent an evolution of the “Sidekick” devices offered by Danger Inc. — a company that Microsoft acquired in 2008.
Messaging and social-networking applications will be featured prominently on the phones. According to media reports, they will be available for use on the Verizon Wireless network.
A Microsoft representative did not respond to a request for comment.
Microsoft has long been expected to start releasing tailored mobile devices that feature the company’s software and services, in order to keep pace with similar undertakings by rivals including Google Inc. and Apple Inc.
Microsoft has for years developed the underlying software needed to operate a mobile phone, but has relied on partners to design, produce and market related devices.
The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant has prior experience producing hardware with partners, such as the company’s Xbox video-game console and Zune media player.
The company designed the mobile phones to be unveiled next Monday, though according to media reports they will be produced by Sharp Corp.
Sharp has historically been a maker of Danger’s Sidekick devices, which are designed with sliding keyboards and large screens for easier messaging.
Microsoft and its peers are betting heavily on mobile Internet services and advertising, as users are expected to increasingly rely on devices such as phones and tablet computers to get online.
However, Microsoft is widely seen as a step behind Apple and Google. “They’ve clearly lost the consumer market to Apple and Google,” said Gartner Inc. analyst Ken Dulaney.
Apple has seen increasing demand for its iPhone, unveiled over three years ago, while Google has now released several phones that use its Android mobile software, including the Nexus One device.
According to data published by ComScore Inc. on Monday, Microsoft’s share of the U.S. smartphone subscriber market fell 4 points to 15.1% in the three months ended in February.
Google’s share meanwhile rose to 9%, while Apple’s share dipped slightly to 25.4%.
Research In Motion Ltd., the maker of the BlackBerry device, retained a commanding lead with a 42.1% share of the U.S. smartphone subscriber market, according to ComScore data.
John Letzing is a MarketWatch reporter based in San Francisco.
