According to a leak, Microsoft is developing a range of Windows superphones next year.

The information came from Niklas Savander, executive VP of Markets for Nokia, who said “We made the decision to go to Windows Phone when Mango was pretty much done, so we were able to impact some elements of it but you’ll really see the fruits of what we can do with Microsoft when the Apollo version of Windows Phone comes out.”

Superphone is the new buzzword in the mobile phone world. They are seemingly a lot more powerful than either the basic mobile phone or the smartphone. As Microsoft is now well and truly involved with mobile device technology, especially after the deal with Nokia, it isn’t a surprise the company would embark on this new venture.

There may be another reason. Microsoft has dominated the desktop computer for many years now, and while the company is still in the early stages of developing its smartphone operating system, it could be an alternative to those consumers looking for something different from either Android or Apple. What’s more, with RIM struggling to regain its popularity as well as its innovative technology, Microsoft could be on to a winner at just the right time.

However, on the downside, this new venture is thought to be a year behind both Apple and Google, who are expected to start pushing their own versions of the superphone early in 2012.

Not just that, there are suggestions there won’t be any new updates to the Windows Phone platform for 12 months.

Will it be another tortuous year for the software giant?