Samsung Ativ Q

According to reports, Microsoft Corp has asked HTC Corp to add Windows Phone as second operating system option on the latter’s smartphones, specifically those operating on Google Inc’s Android OS. Terry Myerson, Microsoft’s OS chief, would reportedly fly to Taiwan sometime this month to convince HTC’s executives to agree to the proposal.

The giant software firm seems determined to entice the smartphone maker to integrate Windows Phone into some of its products. Microsoft is reportedly sweetening the offer by volunteering to waive the licensing fees that it normally charges handset manufacturers to use its OS into their devices. According to sources, HTC is yet to agree to that proposal.

HTC and Windows Phone

It could be recalled that HTC has already released a number of devices that run on Microsoft’s Windows Phone. Among those were HTC 8X, HTC 8S, and HTC 8XT. But according to insiders, HTC realized that it may not be able to sustain using Windows Phone because it would be costly to do so. Besides, those Windows Phone-based HTC devices also generated limited returns.

Because of cost constraints, HTC is reportedly not planning to develop another device running on Windows Phone. The company is believed to be focused today on its flagship smartphone, HTC One that is running on free Google Android OS.

If HTC would agree to Microsoft’s proposal, both companies would still figure out how to make a hybrid OS with Android and Windows Phone work. However, it would not be a fresh approach as it has already been common in the tablet-laptop hybrid market.

For instance, at the recent IFA trade show held in Berlin, Germany, Taiwanese PC maker Asus launched its Transformer Book Trio. The laptop-tablet runs on both Windows 8 as well as Android 4.2. Before that, Samsung Electronics unveiled its Samsung Ativ Q that also operates on both PC and mobile OS.

Microsoft is obviously aiming to ride on Android’s popularity so it could bolster its Windows Phone platform. The company has been struggling to make gains in a tight mobile OS market, which is currently dominated by Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. Windows Phone is believed to be obtaining strength in Europe but it is yet to show any potential to even be a worthy competitor to the two more popular mobile OS.