Does Microsoft Dare Build Its Own Smartphone?

Microsoft has long been a company that relies on its manufacturing partners to spread its Windows operating system. That has been true for Microsoft?s mobile efforts as well, partnering with companies like Samsung, HTC and Nokia for its Windows Mobile CE and Windows Phone platforms. So when Microsoft decided to build its own Windows 8 tablet - the Surface - speculation increased that the company would take a similar route and build its own smartphone. Would Microsoft really be willing to jeapordize its strong ties to its smarpthone partners, like Nokia, and dare to enter the market on its own?

The answer, according to Taiwanese news site DigiTimes, is yes. According to DigiTimes sources, both Amazon and Microsoft have placed orders with Chinese gadget manufacturer Foxconn International Holdings (the same company that builds the iPhone for Apple) for small batches of their own smartphones to be shipped in the middle of 2013. 

It is important to note that, as far as smartphone rumors are concerned, DigiTimes is not always to be trusted. The publication has long been a source of unsubstantiated rumors that light fires under hype cycles for new devices, especially those from Apple like the iPad and iPhone. But for a number of reasons, I'm not ready to completely ignore this rumor. 

Microsoft Not An Unlikely Manufacturer

While it is only speculation at this point, the notion of Microsoft creating its own smartphone is not as far-fetched as some might think. (For one thing, speculation on the topic has been running for months, see A Surface Smartphone From Microsoft? Yes, Please!) After all, against the industry?s better judgment, Microsoft did create its own tablet in the Surface and has thrown a huge marketing budget behind it. Also, if DigiTimes is correct, the order size for Microsoft is not large. Microsoft may not be jumping into the deep end of the smartphone manufacturing pool, but may be ready to dip a toe in the water. 

Mobile analyst Chetan Sharma comments that Microsoft building its own smartphones is a way to both keep the pressure on its manufacturing partners to perform at high levels and hedge its bets by preparing for a possible future of vertical integration (designing and building its own smartphones in the same way Apple does). 

?So, if you connect the dots, it is not inconceivable that Microsoft will come out with a smartphone that A) forces OEMs to come out with their best in rapid cycles and B) keeps them in the game if they have to resort to a vertical strategy at some point in the future,? Sharma wrote in an email to ReadWrite. ?It is the same dilemma that Google faces. The Nexus line of products is to keep the pressure on the OEM partners as well as prepare for a possible vertical strategy down the road.?

HTC 8X Microsoft's Manufacturing History

Microsoft is not a complete stranger to building its own devices. It manufactures the popular Xbox video game console and has delved into mobile devices in the past - notably the ill-fated Zune and the disaster that was the Kin phone.

If Microsoft were to make a limited-run Windows Phone device it would likely take a similar route to how Google creates its Nexus devices, which are ostensibly the flagship Android smartphone and tablets that are supposed to be the benchmark for how other manufacturers model their devices. The difference between the Nexus devices and Microsoft making its own flagship smartphones is that Google has its manufacturing partners build the devices for them. The Nexus 4 smartphone is made by LG while the Nexus 7 is made by Asus and the Nexus 10 by Samsung. 

The motivation for Microsoft (and to a lesser extent, Google and Amazon) to build their own devices rests just west of San Jose: Cupertino. The Apple iPhone juggernaut has given many mobile manufacturers pie-eyed dreams of being able to integrate vertically and reap the benefits.

?Microsoft (and Google) have also seen the vertical model of Apple succeed beyond their imagination and view it with envy,? Sharma said. 

Potential Pitfalls

The problem that Microsoft has is that its entire mobile strategy is built on shaky ground. Windows Phone 8 engenders some loyalty among users and it is considered creative in relation to iOS and Android. But, it is not selling well. That is despite Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer?s comments last week that it was selling four-times better than last year. Thing is, Microsoft sold only a scant 1.7 million Windows Phones in Q3 2011, so four times that is still not much to brag about in relation to Android and iOS. 

Microsoft?s two primary partners for the Windows Phone 8 launch are Nokia and HTC. Microsoft has invested a lot in Nokia to be the flag bearer for Windows Phone and at this point it should be doing everything it possibly can to buoy Nokia until it can once again stand on its own. (That may not be easy, see ReadWrite DeathWatch: Nokia.) HTC has its own problems, losing market share to Samsung and reporting scant earnings in its last quarter. 

Nokia Lumia 920

?They do need to do something to kick start Windows Phone adoption, as its still a meager part of the market. But if they produce a phone, it will hit Nokia in particular really hard,? Jack Gold, principal analyst at J. Gold Associates said in an email. ?Nokia is struggling to regain market share, and anything Microsoft would take away from them would be very painful. So I think Microsoft will tread carefully here, as it would be a balancing act between accelerating the market, and hurting your vendors (particularly Nokia but also HTC).?

Microsoft?s position is more precarious than Google?s when it comes to its manufacturing partners. There is little Google can do to hurt most of its partners, short of withdrawing the open source license for Android and consolidating all of its manufacturing to its Motorola subsidiary. Microsoft, on the other hand, could do great damage to Nokia by building its own smartphone. At this point, there are just not enough Windows Phone sales to support the ecosystem. Taking any of those sales away from Nokia could well end up being the straw that broke the camel?s back. 

Unlike the Surface tablet, which had no set market and didn't compete with any manufacturing partners before its release, Windows Phone already is established with manufacturing partners trying to use it to claim mobile market share. Nokia's entire business is focused on Windows Phone. The potential for collateral damage from a Microsoft-built smartphone is much greater than it was for the Surface. 

So, back to the original question. Does Microsoft dare enter the smartphone manufacturing game, when doing so could bury the already fragile Nokia? Or limit the potential of the fading HTC? Or does the vague promise of a Surface-like flagship Windows Phone and/or complete vertical integration outweigh those factors?

I don't have any inisght into what Micosoft execs are thinking, but I think they will go for it.

 

Images from Microsoft, HTC and Dan Rowinski.


flying gift voucher mercenaries 2 helicopter pilot conference registration service

Home Energy Efficiency Could Receive a Government Boost

Prospective buyers have become more aware of the need for energy efficiency, as a way of reducing bills and ensuring environmental friendliness. There are a number of opportunities to make your home more efficient too, from insulation measures such as loft lagging or wall cavity insulation, to a replacement boiler or double glazing. And to encourage more homeowners to uptake energy efficient measures in their property, the Green Alliance and World Wildlife Fund want a feed-in tariff brought in as an incentive.

internet registry lookup high altitude endorsement training orville wright bio

How to Add RAM to Your Laptop

Add RAM to Your Laptop

One of the best ways to perk up the performance of an older laptop is by increasing its memory. Most of the time, the process of adding RAM is little harder than changing a light bulb. But not every laptop is easy to upgrade, and some modern thin-and-light units can't be upgraded at all?you have to buy the laptop with as much memory as you expect to need for its lifetime. Here's a primer to upgrading your laptop with additional RAM.

Can You Upgrade?

The first thing to do when you're considering a memory upgrade is to verify that your laptop supports it. Then you need to determine how much memory you can add. Typically your BIOS and motherboard constrain the amount of RAM that you can add to your laptop. Every model is different, so consult your user's guide, search the Web, and read up on your laptop's specs at the vendor's website to figure out whether you can safely increase the amount of memory on your machine. While you're doing this research, identify the steps involved in opening your laptop case and swapping out the memory modules safely.

Next, you need to investigate how your currently installed memory is configured across the slots. For example, your laptop may have only two memory slots, both containing 256MB modules to achieve your system's current 512MB capacity. To get to 1GB, you would have to buy two 512MB modules. Alternatively, you might have a single 512MB module and an empty memeory slot, in which case you would need to add a second 512MB module to reach 1GB.

Last but not least, you need to know the type of memory that your laptop uses?PC133, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, or whatever?and its speed. Your laptop's documentation should contain this info, but you can also find it on the startup screen. If you don't see it, try pressing the Pause, Break, or Tab key while your system is booting, to freeze the boot or show the boot info. You can also find the memory type in the BIOS. Most often, you must press Delete, F2, or another function key early in the boot process in order to enter the BIOS.

To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

aero tech academy alon pnini ulm graduate school

What Is An 18 Inch Dishwasher?

Interested in finding a dishwasher that is economical, has low energy and water use, and can still clean the dishes? If so, you should look into 18 inch dishwashers - capable of handling all but the most stubborn pots and pans yet they retain the ease of use of larger dishwasher and bring portability and subtlety to the table. Read on for more info on 18 inch dishwashers and why you might want one!

trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator business jet wiki aviation management training

Wofford, Coastal Carolina ready for FCS playoffs

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) ? Even before this season started, Wofford fullback Eric Breitenstein and his teammates decided just getting to the playoffs wouldn't be enough. The Terriers (8-3) take their first of what would be four steps to the Football Championship Subdivision title Saturday by hosting New Hampshire (8-3). New Hampshire is averaging 471 yards a game in an offense that is almost exactly balanced between running and passing. The Terriers have been a solid defense ? their 316 yards a game ranks 20th in FCS ? but coach Mike Ayers said they haven't been up against an offense like this. Wofford went into the fourth quarter tied with Football Bowl Subdivision South Carolina before losing 24-7, while New Hampshire was beat 64-35 by Towson. Coastal Carolina won its first-ever playoff game 24-14 over Bethune-Cookman last week. The Monarchs lead FCS in offense at 538 yards per game and are ranked second at 382 yards passing.

polish institute of arts and sciences coffee shop operating costs professional aviation maintenance association