Microsoft may unveil new phones on April 12

Microsoft may launch a new series of mobile phones on April 12 with social-networking capabilities. The product named 'Pure and Turtle' is aimed at young smartphone users. Both the phones are expected to be slider phones, each with a touch screen and keyboard.

The phones will be similar to the T-Mobile Sidekick - a phone developed by Danger, the company that Microsoft acquired in 2008 as part of its expansion in consumer cell phone business.

On Monday, Microsoft invited the media to an event on April 12 in San Francisco with the slogan, "It's time to share." Though the company refused to comment on next week's launch, media reports say it would unveil the new phones.

The new launch is part of the company's effort to turn around its struggling mobile-phone business.

According to media reports, the new phones are based on a Microsoft development project code-named 'Pink'. These mobile phones will be sold by Verizon Wireless, the top US mobile operator.

Microsoft will design the software, online services and hardware for Pink mobile phones, while Sharp Corp of Japan will manufacture the devices.

Both the Pure and Turtle will run software that resembles a new Microsoft mobile phone operating system due out later this year called Windows Phone 7.