South Korean handset-vendor LG is to reportedly launch over 50 new smartphones based on Microsoft’s Windows platform over the next three years as part of its alliance with the US software giant. According to an AME Info report, LG will implement a tenfold increase in Windows phones this year and bring as many as 26 new Windows phones to market in 2012 alone. “The Windows platform brings flexible and customer-friendly software that ties into the Web and the PC, giving our phones a wide range of new capabilities to address an increasing number of segments and markets,” said Yong Nam, vice-chairman and CEO at LG.

The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last November to collaborate in R&D, applications and services for converged mobile devices. LG said at the time that the alliance was part of its strategy to reinforce its global competitiveness in the smartphone market. According to AME Info, the two companies will also jointly market the devices on a global basis. The deal is a boost for Microsoft’s Windows Mobile platform, especially as LG has previously pledged support to Google’s rival operating system, Android.