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[The Abominable Snowman]

I have a question for MS: Why?

there are tons of more dangerous options that could have as big or a bigger payoff.

 

[Cipherr]

So if MS secures a dual boot deal will they count each phone as 1 Windows phone or 0.5 Windows Phone? :|

Oh I could bet that if HTC did a dual boot option that MS would count every phone they sold as a WP8 sale guaranteed. It would be straight PR. Even though most people would use the OS that had the apps they wanted. Its been years and years now. Its time to stop pretending that noone knows WP devices exist, they do, they just don't want to buy them in their current state.

That's a reality MS really needs to embrace if they expect to move forward. Do something about the fact that people are actively overlooking your devices, and dual booting ain't the solution to that.

 

[linsivvi]

Without the Nokia name, Microsoft loses the only incentive for people to buy a Windows Phone.

 

[AlteredBeast]

Its been years and years now. Its time to stop pretending that noone knows WP devices exist, they do, they just don't want to buy them in their current state.

This statement is patently false. They are gaining marketshare each quarter while Android falls. In some countries, WP has gained 10 percent marketshare. But, when you basically only have one manufacturer making only a few devices, sales are never going to be amazing. If Samsung, HTC, Sony and so on pumped out a mix of high-end and middle-end WP phones, they would grow even more. A Galaxy S4 with Windows Phone software would sell gangbusters, for example.

 

[JordanKZ]

Its certainly going to be an interesting couple of years for Windows Phone. Microsoft aren't going to retain the "Nokia" name going forward, which still holds a lot of clout in Europe and parts of Asia/Africa. Lumia and Asha doesn't mean anything to 98% of people.

Nokia's Windows Phones are nothing short of amazing. The hardware for the price is staggering, but I really couldn't see myself using Windows Phone again. Its too limiting, there's basically zero Google integration at this point and the app selection is still terrible.

As for this debacle? HTC need money. Badly. If Microsoft pay them, I can actually see this happening. But customers don't want to have to figure this shit out. Most of them wouldn't even realise the other OS even exists.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

The stink of fear is fresh on Microsoft.

 

[kharma45]

A Galaxy S4 with Windows Phone software would sell gangbusters, for example.

Didn't work when they did the same with the S3.

 

[brotkasten]

Didn't work when they did the same with the S3.

Perhaps because it's didn't get the same push as the S3? The Ativ S was pretty much sent to die. Not released in the US and had limited availability in the rest of the world. Not that it would've moved Galaxy S numbers, but 0 marketing doesn't help.

 

[AlteredBeast]

Didn't work when they did the same with the S3.

They didn't market it as such. Why not just sell it is the "Galaxy S3 with Windows Phone"

Creating an entirely different brand name for it only works as well as their other Android phones, which amounts to very little. Compare the Galaxy S3 and 4 to their other smart phones, even those that share the Galaxy name without the number. That and not being released in America kind of killed it without even giving it a chance...

 

[kharma45]

Perhaps because it's didn't get the same push as the S3? The Ativ S was pretty much sent to die. Not released in the US and had limited availability in the rest of the world. Not that it would've moved Galaxy S numbers, but 0 marketing doesn't help.

They didn't market it as such. Why not just sell it is the "Galaxy S3 with Windows Phone"

Creating an entirely different brand name for it only works as well as their other Android phones, which amounts to very little. Compare the Galaxy S3 and 4 to their other smart phones, even those that share the Galaxy name without the number. That and not being released in America kind of killed it without even giving it a chance...

Ah I didn't realise they never released it in the US.

 

[Tallshortman]

This statement is patently false. They are gaining marketshare each quarter while Android falls. In some countries, WP has gained 10 percent marketshare. But, when you basically only have one manufacturer making only a few devices, sales are never going to be amazing. If Samsung, HTC, Sony and so on pumped out a mix of high-end and middle-end WP phones, they would grow even more. A Galaxy S4 with Windows Phone software would sell gangbusters, for example.

People who want an S4 would get an S4 with android. There's a reason most manufacturers have either extremely tepid or no future windows phone plans, decent offerings from HTC and samsung have not sold well at all. Nokia is the reason people actually purchase windows phones, especially in europe (which is where I assume you're getting 10% marketshare from in some countries there) where Nokia is still a popular enough brand.

 

[Gannd]

the problem with Windows Phone isn't the hardware. It's the lack of apps

 

[AlteredBeast]

the problem with Windows Phone isn't the hardware. It's the lack of apps

Well, to be honest, the lack of hardware is what is causing a lack of apps. Companies would be stupid to avoid tens of millions of phone users on WP. Right now, there are not enough really good WP phones from manufacturers not named Nokia to make an impact. Then it turns into a vicious cycle.

Nokia proves you can make a WP phone that sells, but you have to actually make it really good and market the hell out of it. the easy money is on Android right now, so the top manufacturers simply won't care until the WP market is too big to ignore. At that point, it might be too late for them to jump on the bandwagon.

 

[rrs]

Dual boot would had been cool, but I could see why HTC doesn't want to put the hard work for it.

 

[GSG Flash]

They didn't market it as such. Why not just sell it is the "Galaxy S3 with Windows Phone"

Creating an entirely different brand name for it only works as well as their other Android phones, which amounts to very little. Compare the Galaxy S3 and 4 to their other smart phones, even those that share the Galaxy name without the number. That and not being released in America kind of killed it without even giving it a chance...

Because they don't want to create customer confusion and want to keep their brands separate. Galaxy = Android, Ativ = WP

And Samsung has already said that demand for WP devices is low, so I'm sure they don't want to allocate too many resources to something they feel won't give them the return they want:

WSJ: What about your relationship with Microsoft? Has it changed after Nokia began to work more closely with Microsoft on Windows devices?

Mr. Shin: Smartphones and tablets based on Microsoft's Windows operating system aren't selling very well. There is a preference in the market for Android. In Europe, we're also seeing lackluster demand for Windows-based products.

 

[cchum]

So "lobby" is the new word for "bribery"?

Learning something from politicians I see.

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

Oh I could bet that if HTC did a dual boot option that MS would count every phone they sold as a WP8 sale guaranteed. It would be straight PR. Even though most people would use the OS that had the apps they wanted. Its been years and years now. Its time to stop pretending that noone knows WP devices exist, they do, they just don't want to buy them in their current state.

That's a reality MS really needs to embrace if they expect to move forward. Do something about the fact that people are actively overlooking your devices, and dual booting ain't the solution to that.

That's the ugly truth.

Windows Phone executives are trying to get help from HTC to fudge the numbers.

 

[linsivvi]

So "lobby" is the new word for "bribery"?

Learning something from politicians I see.

Or perhaps you should learn what the word bribery means.

Hint: It doesn't mean legal business deals.

 

[Cipherr]

This statement is patently false. They are gaining marketshare each quarter while Android falls.

The world is bigger than just a few cherry picked markets: http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/07/an...s-as-ios-and-blackberry-share-slides-per-idc/

Android is still growing, while at 80% worldwide marketshare, with contributions from even the smaller OEMs like LG and ZTE. WP is also showing growth, but with nearly nothing but Nokia only. Thats why OEM's like Samsung and HTC don't have plans to make any more Windows Phones.

In some countries, WP has gained 10 percent marketshare.

And in some countried Android grew 13%+ even whole holding nearly ~60% already. Cherry picking territories is something everyone can do. Cept maybe Blackberry

But, when you basically only have one manufacturer making only a few devices, sales are never going to be amazing. If Samsung, HTC, Sony and so on pumped out a mix of high-end and middle-end WP phones, they would grow even more. A Galaxy S4 with Windows Phone software would sell gangbusters, for example.

Samsung pushed out a S3 with WP on it basically. The GS3 sold millions and the ATIV sold shit. Its really time to stop pretending.... Get that new update out, get more moneyhatted top 200 apps, advertise more than Samsung, get rid of the license fee for OEM's, get a damn notifications pane and other things. That will keep the momentum, not dual booting HTC Android phones. They have Nokia in house now so thats a good step forward in keeping the OS going. But there's a lot of work ahead still.

Its great that Nokia is able to move some units in EU. Its impressive, but that does nothing to convince the other OEM's to bother with the OS. Which is why MS is trying something like this to begin with.

 

[rudieboy77]

MS should focus on putting more apps on that thing or it will go the way of the Zune. They put out this hardware then never support it, then wonder why it fails. I am shocked the 360 was even as successful as it was being from MS.

 

[Doffen]

Millions of others probably would have though. So not much of a loss.

That depends on who those millions are. Or do you believe that consumers that buy devices at loss, and those who buy them full price day one are equally valuable for the company?

 

[Adam Blue]

MS should focus on putting more apps on that thing or it will go the way of the Zune. They put out this hardware then never support it, then wonder why it fails. I am shocked the 360 was even as successful as it was being from MS.

The apps are fine. Lumia is my daily driver. How many of you have used a WP as a daily driver? So many features are baked into WP that you don't really need apps. I use all devices, and the daily award goes to WP - faster, better battery, etc.

But I love me some customization Android! Nexus 4 4.3 with Nova and all dem things is a fun past-time.

 

[Jazzy Network]

The apps are fine. Lumia is my daily driver. How many of you have used a WP as a daily driver? So many features are baked into WP that you don't really need apps. I use all devices, and the daily award goes to WP - faster, better battery, etc.

But I love me some customization Android! Nexus 4 4.3 with Nova and all dem things is a fun past-time.

W8 doesn't support my Pebble. Automatic no buy right there.