In line with their new strategy of focusing on the "Three screens and a cloud". Microsoft has unveiled the Windows Phone 7, which is essentially the Microsoft version of Google's Android. An operating system designed primarily for touch smart phones, this new mobile OS is Microsoft's first major attempt at re-capturing this segment of the market which is has lost to Google and Apple.
The new system has been described as one that has been made from scratch with no remnants of previous versions. What Microsoft has to its advantage at this point is pre-existing relationships with device manufacturers, making it easier for them to launch the new OS on multiple devices and operators. It will be interesting to see how well Windows 7's reputation as an operating system will serve in propelling Windows Mobile 7 into the market. It will also be interesting to see how strongly tied-in users were with Apple, Google and RIM systems if Microsoft does take off again in this space.
Though Windows 7 is certainly a vast improvement over Vista, I'm afraid that Microsoft's reputation for bug-riddled bloatware will be hard to kill and is likely to follow Windows to other platforms. Especially given that there are a large number of people very active online who seem to have nothing better to do than to sing the faults of anything Microsoft makes to anyone who will listen.
ReplyDeleteThere are also reportedly some issues with their partnerships, though it's not all Microsoft's fault.
http://www.itwriting.com/blog/2239-windows-phone-7-series-and-microsofts-partner-problem.html
I see a couple areas through which Microsoft can focus growing its Ecosystem and holding on to its market share in mobile
ReplyDelete1) Xbox live
2) Office Online
If Microsoft can get these services to actually WORK on the mobile platform it taps into a huge customer base and a differentiating factor.
Though Ballmer would be worried that Microsoft may be locked out of the market since the phones are expected hit the market not before the year end.