3 ms·

After Microsoft's announcement of the Surface Tablet... people had to see this coming. I'm not debating the merits of doing this or not doing this... but if MS

After Microsoft's announcement of the Surface Tablet... people had to see this coming. I'm not debating the merits of doing this or not doing this... but if MS was willing to make their own tablet, surely they were willing to make their own phone. What's interesting is the difference between the mobile and PC market. With PCs - there is no other (realistic) OS for OEM makers to use. I mean, they just have to keep using Windows. For mobile handset makers... they can (and might) move over to Android. Interesting gamble on MS's part. Personally, I'm excited. I think MS has received the wakeup call that they need.

roc 14y ago
The only OEM making Windows Phones that isn't already also making Android phones is Nokia. And given the resounding thud with which Nokia's Windows Phones have fallen (fairly or not), it seems unlikely that Nokia will exclusively pursue Windows Phone to its own demise, Elop or no. So... there's really no risk to Microsoft here. It's just yet-another Hail Mary For Traction.
- pm90 14y ago
  If Nokia-built phones with Windows were unable to compete in the market then can Microsoft-built phones fare any better? Seems unlikely
  - roc 14y ago
    If Nokia has suffered about as much as its share-holders can stomach, but Microsoft still wants to push their platform, would Microsoft have any choice? Anyway, the thing I haven't seen anyone consider is: whether the device being 'locked down' in the Entertainment/Devices group is more an iPod Touch competitor -- skewed toward gaming -- than iPhone. That would make sense to me anyway. It would placate existing phone OEMs and serve as a Skunkworks "what do we do if the OEMs abandon us" project. It's also a huge opportunity for Microsoft to build support for the winphone platform off their popular and functional consumer ecosystem in the XBox/Live/Marketplace/Content Deals/etc. And with Nintendo potentially forcing the "second-screen" configuration, Microsoft needs to have a more-integrated first-party solution than even their current attempt.

roc 14y ago

The only OEM making Windows Phones that isn't already also making Android phones is Nokia. And given the resounding thud with which Nokia's Windows Phones have fallen (fairly or not), it seems unlikely that Nokia will exclusively pursue Windows Phone to its own demise, Elop or no. So... there's really no risk to Microsoft here. It's just yet-another Hail Mary For Traction.

pm90 14y ago
If Nokia-built phones with Windows were unable to compete in the market then can Microsoft-built phones fare any better? Seems unlikely
- roc 14y ago
  If Nokia has suffered about as much as its share-holders can stomach, but Microsoft still wants to push their platform, would Microsoft have any choice? Anyway, the thing I haven't seen anyone consider is: whether the device being 'locked down' in the Entertainment/Devices group is more an iPod Touch competitor -- skewed toward gaming -- than iPhone. That would make sense to me anyway. It would placate existing phone OEMs and serve as a Skunkworks "what do we do if the OEMs abandon us" project. It's also a huge opportunity for Microsoft to build support for the winphone platform off their popular and functional consumer ecosystem in the XBox/Live/Marketplace/Content Deals/etc. And with Nintendo potentially forcing the "second-screen" configuration, Microsoft needs to have a more-integrated first-party solution than even their current attempt.