Re:Is Ballmer delusional? Calls Android 'cheap,' doomed
by brudgers on Wednesday October 19, 2011 @02:59PM
(#3131537)
There is a substantial likelihood that Ballmer is correct. Android's market growth has been based on the fact that it offers a touch interface and is not controlled by Apple.
Outside of the handful of people dogmatically committed to open software (whatever that may be), practically nobody actually loves Android.
It's simply a cost effective alternative to iOS. However, Microsoft's patent portfolio has raised its cost and Google's lack of B2B orientation and "if it's on the web, it's in the public domain" approach to IP create an uncertain roadmap for manufacturers and the rest of the industry.
And Google's weaknesses are exactly Microsoft's strengths. Throw in the perception of potential conflicts surrounding Google's purchase of Motorola's mobile division and the preferential release of Honeycomb, and WP7 becomes even more favorably positioned among phone manufacturers.
Microsoft appears to have a coherent long term strategy - my mother will probably buy the phone that works like her computer - the one likely to have a Metro UI in the not too distant future.
Despite spin to the contrary, consumers overwhelmingly vote with their wallets when it comes to Microsoft products and manufacturer's tend to prefer supply chain partners willing to understand their needs rather than being left to their own devices and guessing at the development roadmap.
Outside of the handful of people dogmatically committed to open software (whatever that may be), practically nobody actually loves Android.
It's simply a cost effective alternative to iOS. However, Microsoft's patent portfolio has raised its cost and Google's lack of B2B orientation and "if it's on the web, it's in the public domain" approach to IP create an uncertain roadmap for manufacturers and the rest of the industry.
And Google's weaknesses are exactly Microsoft's strengths. Throw in the perception of potential conflicts surrounding Google's purchase of Motorola's mobile division and the preferential release of Honeycomb, and WP7 becomes even more favorably positioned among phone manufacturers.
Microsoft appears to have a coherent long term strategy - my mother will probably buy the phone that works like her computer - the one likely to have a Metro UI in the not too distant future.
Despite spin to the contrary, consumers overwhelmingly vote with their wallets when it comes to Microsoft products and manufacturer's tend to prefer supply chain partners willing to understand their needs rather than being left to their own devices and guessing at the development roadmap.