New York, June 22 (IBNS): World’s largest software company Microsoft may develop its own smartphone to boost sales of its upcoming version of Windows Phone operating system, an analyst has said, just days after the company unveiled its own tablet in a departure from custom.

Microsoft, which announced its Windows Phone 8 software this week, could come up with its own-branded smartphone to kickstart sales of the platform, said Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund,  who has followed the company for many years.

"Our industry sources tell us that Microsoft may be working with a contract manufacturer to develop their own handset for Windows Phone 8," wrote Sherlund in a note to clients, that was neither confirmed nor denied by Microsoft.

"It is unclear to us whether this would be a reference platform or whether this may be a go-to market Microsoft-branded handset," the Wall Street analyst said.

The Redmond-based company on Monday had introduced its own range of tablet computers that will run an upcoming edition of Windows operating system, entering for the first time in its history into direct competition with hardware partners.

The move signalled a departure from 37-years of company tradition of focusing on software and leaving hardware manufacturing to its partners and could be the premise of more own-brand gadgetry.

Unveiled on Wednesday, Windows Phone 8 is the latest version of Microsoft's mobile operating system, expected to release in Autumn as a successor to the Windows Phone 7, which even though praised by reviewers has struggled to make its mark.

Besides a revised interface, Windows Phone 8 will feature the same core used on the Windows operating system meant for computers, providing new usage opportunities to developers, consumers and enterprise users.

Coupled with its own smartphone the Windows Phone 8 software could finally see better adoption rates which have so far defied Microsoft in its competition with rival Apple that makes the iPhone and Google which develops the Android platform, analysts say.