Microsoft used the Computex event in Taiwan this week to talk up its partner efforts, including the results of its work with Qualcomm on reference designs intended to enable vendors to “quickly and efficiently” launch Windows Phone devices.

This has included a range of smartphones, “from value to premium”, from new partners including BLU, InFocus, Prestigio and Yezz. But, as has been the case at a number of high-profile events recently, support for Windows Phone from household-name vendors was lacking.

CNET reported that when quizzed, Nick Parker (pictured), corporate VP responsible for device partnerships for the computing giant, said that the company “will continue to have a great relationship with HTC. New things are coming, so get excited”.

And Microsoft also talked-up its tablet activities, following initiatives such as offering Windows at $0 for devices with screens smaller than 9-inches.

This included a “sneak peek” of a 7-inch tablet from Toshiba which “will be available in the coming months at a value-driven price point that is very competitive to any other 7-inch-class device”, and talk of an “expanding ecosystem” including Chinese partners from Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai, including Haier, VIDO and Luckystar.