If you ever wondered why the original Windows Phone 7 devices all bore such similar hardware, it was due to Microsoft’s own rules. With the release of Windows Phone 7.5 and an eye on invading emerging markets, Microsoft wants retail prices to drop dramatically — and it has revised the hardware rules to help make that happen.Back when the platform was taking shape, a Windows Phone device had to feature a 4-point capacitive display at 480×800 pixels, one of three Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, a DirectX 9 compatible GPU, 256MB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. There also had to be a rear-facing camera of at least 5 megapixels, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, and FM radio tuner. Last but not least were the hardware buttons: a half dozen to perform operations like searching, returning to the start screen, adjusting volume, and firing up the camera.But with Microsoft hoping to leverage Nokia‘s popularity in less smartphone-friendly regions, their new guidelines offer a bit more flexibility. The biggest shift is that cameras — both front and rear – are now optional. The integration of a compass and gyroscope are also left up to the individual manufacturer. Those two omissions won’t offer significant cost savings to manufacturers, as they’re sub-$2 components. The camera pairing could yield somewhere between $15 and $20 in savings.That’s not going to make a big dent in a $500 price tag, but every dollar counts. With other ARM processors now starting to pop up in Windows Phone devices, increased competition on that front will also help drive prices down. Microsoft and Nokia probably have some other surprises in store that will help make Windows Phones more accessible, but we’ll have to wait and see exactly what they are. Perhaps today’s event in New York will provide some insight.
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