We're referring to the fight between Apple and a coalition formed by RIM, Motorola and Nokia as each group attempts to make their own nano-SIM design the ETSI standard.

ENGADGET: RIM and Motorola modify nano-SIM proposal, hope to meet Apple halfway

As part of the announcement, Microsoft revealed new features, including Kid's Corner and Rooms, along with details and pricing for a range of beautiful new smartphones from Nokia, Samsung and HTC, each with their own differentiated designs, colors and features.

ENGADGET: Microsoft brings guest user account to Windows Phone 8 via Kid's Corner

Mr Yam expects there to be 4, 000 by the end of the year and 6, 000-7, 000 eventually. (He reckons Apple has 3, 500 and that Nokia and Samsung have 9, 000 each.) HTC is also introducing phones tailored for the Chinese market.

ECONOMIST: HTC

Nokia's Stephen Elop and Kazuo Hirai of Sony each took over their companies at moments when the markets and consumers had turned against them.

BBC: Nokia and Sony - in the recovery room?

Nokia and Microsoft paired up 18 months ago in a bid to help each other gain ground in the phone market.

FORBES: Microsoft's Ballmer Touts The 'Year For Windows,' Says It's 'Greatest Opportunity' For Developers

Nokia is stressing the need for an open platform -- which it says its Nokia Money service will be -- and cooperation among all types of players, each of whom brings their own strengths.

CNN: Cell-phone banking offers financial help to Third World

As Microsoft, RIM and Nokia where completely left behind, the newly formed duopoly focused all their efforts on capturing each others market shares, especially Google.

FORBES: How Alibaba And Mozilla Are Trying To Break Google And Apple Duopoly On Smartphone