It would seem that Microsoft is making moves towards this, as the Redmond-based software giant has reportedly loosened the very restrictive hardware requirements for mobile devices running its software.

According to Phone Arena, Microsoft will no longer require phone manufacturers to include neither a primary or secondary camera in their handsets. Additionally, the inclusion of certain sensors, the likes of a compass or gyro that is used to enhance the motion sensing abilities of mobile devices, will no longer be an absolute necessities for Windows Phone operating smartphones.

Phone Arena pointed out that some of the latest smartphones already adhere to the loosened spec requirements. The HTC’s Radar doesn’t have a gyro, for instance, whilst Nokia’s recently unveiled Lumia 800 and 701 do not sport front-facing cameras.

There are still a number of standard hardware requirements every Windows phone must adhere to. These include:

• A standard set of hardware controls and buttons such as the Start, Search, as well as the Back buttons.

• A large WVGA (480 x 800) touch-screen capable of rendering most web content in full-page width and displaying movies in widescreen.

• Capacitive four-point multi-touch screens for quick, simple control of the smartphone’s functionality.

• Support for data connectivity using cellular networks as well as Wi-Fi.

• 256 MB (and higher) RAM, plus 8 GB (or better) internal flash storage.

• A-GPS

• Accelerometer

In related news Nokia has recently opted for ST-Ericsson as its processor supplier for future Windows Phone devices, which will put an end to Qualcomm’s chip monopoly.