Ballmer slams android

[russell]

Ballmer slams Android as 'cheap,' doomed, as Android lengthens its lead by two big steps | ITworld

So how many phones are running windows mobile compared to android?

[Durbs]

So how many phones are running windows mobile compared to android?

WP7 has yet to mature though, is a recent addition to the market and once Nokia release their glut of handsets will doubtless leap up in maret share.

WP7 is simply not pushed by handset resellers, once MS release these marketing millions that have just been announced, this will change.

All reviews of the different operating systems that I see all seem to say (best to worse for polish, slickness and general useability) IOS > WP7 > Android > Others.

Not got a Windows phone myself, i'm an iPhone man, but have started developing for WP7 and IMO it is a very good OS indeed.

[d000hg]

So how many phones are running windows mobile compared to android?

Good argument. That means Windows is much better than MacOSX, and loads better than Linux?

[TheFaQQer]

Ice Cream Sandwich has some nice features in it.

[xoggoth]

Reported high hardware costs may be a problem but nevetheless, having had the fun (NOT) of developing for Android I rather think the Windows phone could do well unless Google get their act together on issues like ease of development, documentation and security. Not got them myself but others I know who have used Apple and Blackberry say the Android is noticeably less slick in operation.

[d000hg]

It's interesting that Android has got such a massive amount of the market. Is that because it is good -or simply because it was the only credible licensable OS with iOS being Apple-only?

For the masses, the choice is iPhone or "something else" - Android is getting a brand but it's not so strong. So if MS could just start to get some traction, on some nice handsets, they have a chance in my view. Most reviews I've seen end up grudgingly admitting that WP7 is actually pretty good.

With owning Nokia now, which definitely has massive brand strength and fond memories for a certain age group, MS could sell their hardware at cost or even a small loss unencumbered by Android patent costs, in order to offer a good deal to the punters. If you're offered the same contract £5/mo less for a MS phone which is pretty and powerful, shops could push it. In fact MS can use the income they get from Android to subsidise their own phone prices.

[russell]

It's interesting that Android has got such a massive amount of the market. Is that because it is good -or simply because it was the only credible licensable OS with iOS being Apple-only?

For the masses, the choice is iPhone or "something else" - Android is getting a brand but it's not so strong. So if MS could just start to get some traction, on some nice handsets, they have a chance in my view. Most reviews I've seen end up grudgingly admitting that WP7 is actually pretty good.

With owning Nokia now, which definitely has massive brand strength and fond memories for a certain age group, MS could sell their hardware at cost or even a small loss unencumbered by Android patent costs, in order to offer a good deal to the punters. If you're offered the same contract £5/mo less for a MS phone which is pretty and powerful, shops could push it. In fact MS can use the income they get from Android to subsidise their own phone prices.

Too late, the market will be split between Android and iOS. This isn't the console market where Sony dropped the ball and let the XBox in.

HTH

[Durbs]

Too late, the market will be split between Android and iOS. This isn't the console market where Sony dropped the ball and let the XBox in.
HTH

I remember everyone saying that MS didn't have a chance in the console market, everyone was a Playstation, Sega or Nintendo fan and there seemed to be just no room or need for another player. They got there on quality of the platform and a large existing base of PC developers. Same for WP7 I reckon.

Fragmentation will be Androids demise, Apple & MS have put strict hardware & software requirements in place for their platforms to ensure everything works for everyone.

If you look at Android phone reviews now, its all, handset x has full access to the market, handset y has no market access at all, handset z has limited market access but we couldn't get apps a, b & c to run etc etc.

[d000hg]

Too late, the market will be split between Android and iOS.

But people don't especially choose Android - they choose not to have an iPhone and then choose the handset they want. So if MS have decent handsets and a decent UI, they can get in. As long as it does email, web-browsing, music playing and Angry Birds the majority don't care. Things like Skype/Facebook integration (MS are tight with FB) are also pluses whereas Android is rather amorphous.

[russell]

I remember everyone saying that MS didn't have a chance in the console market, everyone was a Playstation, Sega or Nintendo fan and there seemed to be just no room or need for another player. They got there on quality of the platform and a large existing base of PC developers. Same for WP7 I reckon.

Fragmentation will be Androids demise, Apple & MS have put strict hardware & software requirements in place for their platforms to ensure everything works for everyone.

If you look at Android phone reviews now, its all, handset x has full access to the market, handset y has no market access at all, handset z has limited market access but we couldn't get apps a, b & c to run etc etc.

That's what they said with Kin and the Zune, the Windows 7 phone has already flopped, they will kill it by end of next year. The Zune also got good reviews but it was too little to late.