According to a few sources from Taiwanese handset manufacturers, Microsoft is expected to roll out its Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system to handset makers in the middle of the year, with the first mobile devices expected to hit the market in the third quarter.

In order to maximize revenue from total sales, however, most manufacturers are probably more likely to launch the new handsets during the fourth quarter year-end shopping season.

Nevertheless, Microsoft has proven with its current business model that it likes diversity in the mobile market. Therefore, it has teamed up with several device manufacturers to ensure a variety of Windows Mobile 6.5 products rather than focusing on a single model, multiple SKU as market competitors Apple and Google have been doing

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