What Windows Phone 8 Needs To Do To Succeed 246
As Microsoft prepares for the launch of Windows Phone 8 devices, its most important push into the smartphone industry to date, speculation is rampant about whether or not consumers will continue to ignore Windows-based phones. There are many obvious ways Microsoft could misstep and lose its chance to participate in another generation of phones, but what would it take for Windows Phone 8 to succeed? To start, they can take advantage of manufacturers who are worried about being pursued over patent claims. They could also work to establish the permanence of Windows Phone 8, after the upgrade inflexibility involved with Windows Phone 7 and Windows Mobile 6.5. Finally, they could take a page out of Amazon's book and make WP8 devices more about services.
Re:Windows Phone 8 (Score:5, Interesting)
First post to this story. First post ever for this account.
Quite amazing if you ask me...
Replace our laptops (Score:4, Interesting)
Simple dock for peripherals and the deal is done. They would trounce the market.
Re:Windows Phone 8 (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm assuming he's got a library of such commentary pre-written and ready to go, possibly provided by his employers. Most likely a subscription account as well (but posting with indicator turned off), so that he can get FP on these types of stories.
I think it's very simple (Score:2, Interesting)
1) Support new hardware on all major carriers. Verizon currently has backwater outdated Windows Phones. That cannot happen with Windows Phone 8.
2) App parity with other platforms. With Windows 8 compatibility, this will likely be the case for Windows Phone 8. All the major players will write apps for Windows 8, and will most likely make the investment to bring their app over to WP8. However, this is still yet to be seen. Micosoft can ensure this will happen by making the transition as easy as possible, possibly by preserving all logic code and allowing a dev to make changes just to the interface.
3) A variety of hardware. Nokia is a great hardware partner but they cannot be the only one. I don't like some of the decisions on the 920, like no micro SD. I need to be able to go to Samsung or HTC to find a phone that fits me perfectly.
4) Integration with Windows 8, Xbox, Skydrive, Skype, and the various media properties like Xbox Music and especially Xbox Live.
In terms of what the article suggests I have these comments:
1) Take Advantage of Google Android’s Current Issues - Yes, I believe Microsoft is already capitalizing on this by offering indemnity for parters. I don't know how Samsung's verdict will really affect the market, but Microsoft can't rely on Android getting worse or less appealing; they have to make WP more appealing.
2) Stop the Upgrading Uncertainty - With the WP8 foundation this is probably already fixed, but I don't think it's that big of an issue. Still the majority of Android customers are two versions behind on Gingerbread, and many WP users are happy with the additional support provided with WP7.8. Yes it sucks WP won't be upgraded to 8, but then again we've had more certainty with our upgrades to Android until this point, with the vast majority of devices old and new being on 7.5. If they can continue this trend onto 8, they should be good.
3) Push Cloud Apps and Services - This is a foregone conclusion. Microsoft account integrates across Windows 8, Xbox, and Windows Phone, and carries all settings, mail, contacts, etc. between phone and desktop, and carries media between all three. With Office, the cloud trend will continue. I think this doesn't necessarily make WP more competitive, but it makes the ecosystem at least as appealing as the others. Microsoft has at least the advantage of Xbox and Office over Google and Apple, who cannot really offer parity in those respects.