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The biggest change in Israel’s smartphone market since the launch of the iPhone back in 2009 will be witnessed this month. HTC Corporation, Samsung Electronics and Nokia (News - Alert), three cutting edge smartphone manufacturers, are working together to introduce new smartphone models in Israel in mid-November that are built using Microsoft's (News - Alert) cell phone operating system, Windows Phone 8.

Until now, the Windows Phone has been completely absent from the Israeli cell phone market. Since the earlier versions of the operating system didn't support Hebrew, they were never launched in the country. Windows Phone (News - Alert) 8 is an impressive, fast and intuitive operating system.

The Windows' “Live Tiles” interface is as easy to use as Google’s Android and Apple’s (News - Alert) iOS operating systems.  The main advantage for business customers is its ability to interface with Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Office software suites. With Microsoft Exchange online, users can access their e-mail messages within a highly secure environment. Whether they wish to access or share their diary, Microsoft’s email hosting offering is power packed within new Windows mobile enabled handheld devices.

Windows Phone 8 will receive a strong push from several different market players in Israel, including Microsoft Israel, the three largest cell phone operators (Partner Communications, Pelephone and Cellcom (News - Alert)) and major cell phone importers (Suny Electronic, the Israeli importer of Samsung phone, Eurocom Cellular Communications, the local importer for Nokia, and Touch Group, the local importer for HTC).

Windows Mobile, Microsoft’s old operating system, didn’t fit into the world of touchscreen cell phones and app stores, causing a considerable decrease in market share. However, with the new smartphones, users will no longer have to carry laptops to access Outlook in order to view their e-mail.