Microsoft Now Reportedly Talking With VZ On iPhone Rival

Ah, the plot thickens. Yesterday, USA Today reported that Verizon Wireless (VZ) was holding talks with Apple (AAPL) about a deal to allow the carrier to sell a version of the iPhone. Now, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Verizon Wireless is holding talks with Microsoft (MSFT) on a deal to launch a touch-screen phone based on Microsoft’s secretive Project Pink , which is supposed to involve combining elements of Windows Mobile with some pieces acquired through the company’s Danger unit, which provides software for the T-Mobile Sidekick phone. Citing “people familiar with the matter,” the WSJ says the new phone would aim to build on the Windows Mobile operating system and the new Windows Marketplace for Mobile application store. The story says the phone would be built by a third party, which you have to think would be an Asian manufacturer; an obvious choice would be HTC, which already makes a bunch of Windows mobile-based touch screen ... (link)