Citing its usual “industry sources,” Digitimes is reporting that handset manufacturers are urging Microsoft to loosen its design rules for the upcoming Windows Phone 8 release. They are looking for more flexibility in modifying applications and the user interface to create greater differentiation between devices. This lack of differentiation has apparently made it more difficult to market devices.
The report suggests that Windows Phone 7.5 sales are hampered by the current hardware specifications and prices as well as its smaller app ecosystem (with about 70,000 available apps) than those of Android (400,000 apps) and iOS (500,000 apps).
The launch of Windows Phone Tango has already widened the breadth of hardware options (by supporting more entry-level devices). Recent rumours also indicate that more hardware options will be supported in Windows Phone 8. Whether Microsoft opens up the user interface more remains to be seen.
Read more: Digitimes