LG Denies Plans to Abandon Windows Phone Platform

Following a report on a Korean publication that LG Electronics would put its Windows Phone plans on hold and instead focus on its Optimus Android smartphone line and that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is headed to South Korea to salvage the relationship between the two companies, LG is saying that the reports are purely speculative and untrue.

In an interview with Pocket-lint, an LG spokesperson says, “None of it is true. Korea Herald is showing its speculative side again.”

LG says that it is not abandoning the Microsoft-made platform, which has been stagnant upon release but is showing signs of momentum now that Nokia has released some popular devices under the Lumia brand.

Though unannounced, prior to the commencement of Mobile World Congress, there was a leaked LG-made Windows Phone called the LG Miracle.

“We are still on board with Windows Phone, but right now, we’re focusing on Android because that’s where the demand is.”

“Regardless of which OS, LG is committed to offering consumers as wide a choice as possible,” the company’s spokesman says.

At this point, I am not too sure that LG’s denial is quite a denial. Though it may not have plans to completely abandon Windows Phone, if demand isn’t there, LG may not produce additional smartphones based on Microsoft’s mobile OS. The company has not released as many Windows Phone models as its rivals, including Samsung, HTC, and Nokia. And given that LG offered nothing specifics–or even confirming that it will be releasing a Windows Phone 8 model like its rivals have–it’s unclear that we may see anything Windows Phone related still.