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Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

techcrunch.com

11–20 of 46 posts

Re: Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

#11

Of course they mean release the same hardware with Windows pre-installed. Would be funny if Google developed something like UEFI if mobile opened up to multiple operating systems.

not sure why drivebyacct2 is dead, but his comment was useful

> UEFI+SecureBoot can be implemented on ARM devices. And already is in almost every case, it just isn't turned on except for, as an example, most Verizon/ATT variants of phones.

Re: Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

#12
post #7
post #4

Why doesn't Microsoft just fork Android like Amazon did, give it a Metro interface (it could look exactly the same as WP does today)? I can't think of any reason for them not to do this now...

Because a fork with a metro skin on top isn't Windows?

Microsoft existed long before Windows, if they make Windows a perpetual requirement it will be their ultimate downfall.

Re: Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

#13
post #6
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I can't think of any reason for them not to do this now... Besides the fact that it would be a total rewrite?

A rewrite of a failing product shouldn't be an issue.

Except that Windows Phone is currently doing very well in some regions. For instance, in the largest European economies they currently have 10% of the smartphone sales. And quarter over quarter growth is good. It's only a small chunk of the pie, but numbers that start to matter. For reference, the share of the iPhone in these economies is currently around 16%.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/30/us-cellphones-euro...

Re: Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

#14
post #4

Why doesn't Microsoft just fork Android like Amazon did, give it a Metro interface (it could look exactly the same as WP does today)? I can't think of any reason for them not to do this now...

Infinite loops - they'd have to pay themselves royalties...then it gets messy and confusing...

Re: Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

#15
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A rewrite of a failing product shouldn't be an issue.

Except that Windows Phone is currently doing very well in some regions. For instance, in the largest European economies they currently have 10% of the smartphone sales. And quarter over quarter growth is good. It's only a small chunk of the pie, but numbers that start to matter. For reference, the share of the iPhone in these economies is currently around 16%. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/30/us-cellphones-e…

That's irrelevant. Microsoft can survive on incremental gains but their hardware partners cannot; that's why they're abandoning the platform. HTC's Windows Phone have been disasters, that's the reason they are pushing this dual-boot strategy. Otherwise they'll lose all hardware partners and only have the remnants of Nokia to run themselves (far from a sure thing).

Re: Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

#16
post #4

Why doesn't Microsoft just fork Android like Amazon did, give it a Metro interface (it could look exactly the same as WP does today)? I can't think of any reason for them not to do this now...

Because Microsoft thinks the Windows internals have value both to developers and, more importantly, to Microsoft's own engineers who are better at doing engineering on Windows. They can deliver features that stand out.

IF they just stuck metro on android, they'd just be a UI skin.

Re: Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

#17
post #6
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I can't think of any reason for them not to do this now... Besides the fact that it would be a total rewrite?

A rewrite of a failing product shouldn't be an issue.

The guys at Netscape would love to speak to you for a minute.

Re: Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

#18
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except that Windows Phone is currently doing very well in some regions. For instance, in the largest European economies they currently have 10% of the smartphone sales. And quarter over quarter growth is good. It's only a small chunk of the pie, but numbers that start to matter. For reference, the share of the iPhone in these economies is currently around 16%. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/30/us-cellphones-e…

That's irrelevant. Microsoft can survive on incremental gains but their hardware partners cannot; that's why they're abandoning the platform. HTC's Windows Phone have been disasters, that's the reason they are pushing this dual-boot strategy. Otherwise they'll lose all hardware partners and only have the remnants of Nokia to run themselves (far from a sure thing).

That's irrelevant.

How is rapid growth and significant marketshare 'irrelevant'?

Even if other vendors put Windows Phone on the back burner, Nokia phones are the most popular by far (according to most surveys 80% of the Windows Phones sold are Nokia phones). If they continue Nokia's tradition of good hardware at low prices, that can drive sales, while the ecosystem grows.

Also, it's not as if HTC is making big profits with Android. They'll probably want to spread their bets.

Re: Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

#19
Seems like a smart move to me. Windows Phone is irrelevant to most consumers despite years of advertising by Microsoft. People just don't have a compelling reason to use it over more popular alternatives. If they can try it out risk free perhaps some will stick with it. Kind of a long shot move but at this point they are running out of options.

Re: Microsoft Looking To Put Windows Phone On Android Devices, Starting With HTC

#20
post #4

Why doesn't Microsoft just fork Android like Amazon did, give it a Metro interface (it could look exactly the same as WP does today)? I can't think of any reason for them not to do this now...

>I can't think of any reason for them not to do this now...

The insufferable propaganda that would ensue, plus a lot of Windows customers making an inconvenient conclusion.

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