With the release of the Windows Phone 7 smartphone coming Oct. 11, one must wonder how much market share Microsoft can take from Apple, Blackberry, and other smartphone providers. With Windows limiting its provider to AT&T, they are pretty much in direct competition with Apple. I believe as well as the article "5 Reasons the Windows Phone 7 Will Fail" that limiting the provider to AT&T could be a colossal mistake. This limits the availability of the phone that will already have struggles trying to penetrate an established market with strong reputations and brand loyalty.
One advantage, on the other hand, is the monopoly Microsoft has on the software market. This could allow the Microsoft Smart Phone unparalleled compatibility with their smart phone and personal computers, thus creating a competitive advantage. I believe this alone will allow Microsoft to take a good chunk of the smartphone market, mainly from Blackberry rather than the iPhone as most users of the iPhone are more than satisfied with Apple's product.
All in all, I believe the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 will be a moderate success as its going to face large problems entering a market well behind its competitors. The real key will be being the innovative leader during the next generation of smartphones, which Microsoft already has a step up on its competition with its software compatibility.
Definitely, the Windows 7 phone is way too late coming to a market, seemingly way out of its league (mainly due to Microsoft being late with adequate version of a phone and an adequate OS).
ReplyDeleteYet, the super-phone market is an emerging one in the users’ eyes and this should definitely be considered an advantage for Microsoft (at least, as long as the users recognize the Windows brand, and we’re talking about a whole lot of users).
The Windows OS by itself means a great opportunity for Microsoft, in case the company presents it as its main mobile OS, of course.