|
Word from some online review websites and tech blogs is that the impact of the Windows 7 Phone is not what was anticipated. The reports that are coming from these sites give the WP7 a paltry 3% of total smart phones sales. Compare this to about 45% of sales attributed to Android devices, it seems like the reception is a bit on the downside. Could this be an indicator that competitors have outdone Microsoft this time around? It is not quite clear why consumers have not received the Windows Phone like they have done previous Microsoft products. In addition, the company spent a fortune both in advertising and development of the mobile platform; a sign that they are fully committed to making the product work. The cautious approach by cell phone manufacturers, as well as the wide berth that 3rd party developers have given the platform, only shows the little faith that industry players have in this platform. It is important to note that Microsoft has throughout its history faced many challenges which they have been able to conquer, partly due to the vast resources they command. It is such advantages that they can use to turn things around, even though most people are counting them out. For instance, they have taken it upon themselves to hire developers to develop 3rd party apps for their mobile platform, since other app developers are jittery about investing in developing the apps until the user base for the mobile platform increases to certain levels. The challenge that seems to baffle Microsoft is what to do with handset manufacturers. The handsets that run the Windows mobile platform unfortunately have nothing new to offer. They are simply variants of smart phone models that are already in the market and running on other Operating Systems, with Android being the dominant platform. As such, getting a consumer to choose between Windows and Android, with all hardware specifications being equal, more likely Android will win, for many reasons. For example, the Window mobile platform lacks some basic features such as the Copy/Paste function and Multi-Tasking capability. These may look irrelevant, but most consumers who are used to such features will not willingly shift to a platform that they view as inferior. Overall, it is obvious that Microsoft has started off on the wrong foot, but it is just a matter of time before they catch up and give Android and other mobile platforms a run for their money.
Related Articles -
Android, Outselling, Windows 7, Phone,
|
