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Print 8 comment(s) - last by XSpeedracerX.. on Jul 13 at 2:17 PM
Microsoft needs to shift gears and make adjustments to its mobile business

The recent failure of the Microsoft Kin smartphone -- leading to the phone being pulled within two months -- will force the software giant to rethink its future mobile efforts.

As the desktop software market continues to tighten, the mobile market is expected to be a major business venture for software companies.  Google has moved into the market with its Google Android Linux-based OS, and has seen growing success against Apple, Research In Motion, and other established contenders.

"They cannot not be in the mobile phone space, and they have to be a big player," said John Jackson, CCS Insight analyst, in a recent interview.  "They have to have something out there to compete with the iPhone and Android because the future of computing is mobile. It's that simple."

Microsoft must now go back to the drawing board and rethink its mobile phone efforts -- the company's 30 percent marketshare in 2008 has continually dropped since then.  Apple, a company watching its smartphone business grow higher, was first criticized when it announced its entrance into the smartphone market.

Creating a dynamic, user-friendly mobile software platform with an app store should remain a dedicated goal for Microsoft.  The company's Windows 7 desktop OS is increasing in popularity and the Windows Phone 7 is expected to help combat other rivals.

In addition to its software business, Microsoft is an ideal situation with the Zune media player, Xbox 360 game console, and several growing businesses.  Adding an appealing smartphone sector would give Microsoft the ability to promote products across multiple platforms -- something its competitors cannot currently do. 

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By Heatlesssun on 7/12/2010 7:34:34 PM , Rating: 2
As the world becomes a more competitive place with people needing more and more skills they are going to need more and more tools to compete. Mobile devices are great but they suck for a lot of things and are not tools for real learning and productivity.

People who only have phone devices will be nothing but fodder for those who have more powerful tools and the ability to create powerful ideas. And powerful computers will be a key.




By XSpeedracerX on 7/12/2010 7:56:35 PM , Rating: 3
About a decade ago, you needed a box about knee-height full of the latest hardware and its own GPU thingy to run quake 3 on maximum settings. Now, your android powered Galaxy s can do it, in the palm of your hand, same settings, no problem whatsoever. With qualcomm already talking about moving into the multi-core space and reaching 2Ghz, its really only a matter of time before handheld mobile computing power outstrips that of an xbox 360. After that, it's only a matter of time before the four and six core workstations of today become outstripped in computing power by the iphones and Evos of tomorrow.

At that time, someone who wants to edit a movie, animate and render a 3d scene, write code for a game, or whatever have you can do so with a device that fits in the palm of their hand. Couple that with 4G-and-beyond wireless data speeds, and they'll be able to do it from anywhere, anytime. When this occurs, do you really believe that the people behind the creative talent of this world and the corporations that employ them are going to say, "No thanks"?


By tank171 on 7/13/2010 2:22:35 AM , Rating: 2
Yes.


By XSpeedracerX on 7/13/2010 2:15:36 PM , Rating: 2
because...


By Veerappan on 7/13/2010 10:24:24 AM , Rating: 2
So here's the obvious follow-up question:

Would you really want to do any of those things (edit movies, animate/render games, write code/papers) on a device the size of your phone?

If you've got an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse, sure, but the idea of the desktop won't go away. And as long as you have that KB/Mouse/Display, you will likely have a desktop, or a laptop, sitting there plugged into them.


By XSpeedracerX on 7/13/2010 2:15:11 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Would you really want to do any of those things (edit movies, animate/render games, write code/papers) on a device the size of your phone?


Yes. I'm writing a fiction novel on my ipod touch right now, and I'm already 32,000 words in. half of that progress would not have happened as fast as it did without the ability to do it from anywhere anytime I want.

If I can do it, than anyone can.

quote:
If you've got an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse, sure, but the idea of the desktop won't go away.


No one said it would. But the value of being able to create content anywhere you want is obvious and like it or not, will be leveraged strategically by the content creators of the future.


By rvd2008 on 7/13/2010 11:15:46 AM , Rating: 2
Tiny screen, small size, rudimentary input - mobile devices are NOT intended for content creation. Their sole purpose is to consume. And to make money for sellers/providers. I would estimate 99% of smart phone users only consume, never create. It is like TV set or FM radio - you turn it on, tune in, listen and watch.


By XSpeedracerX on 7/13/2010 2:17:36 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
I would estimate 99% of smart phone users only consume, never create.


99% of PC users only consume, never create. Guess that means the PC is useless as a content creation device then.


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