Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
Summary: Motorola Mobility's chief is open to Windows Phone 7 and that's a good idea. Here's why.
Motorola Mobility CEO Sanjay Jha indicated that he was open to Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system and there are a bevy of good reasons why such a move may make sense.
Fierce Wireless reported that Jha was "completely open" to Microsoft as a platform. Jha has to be open to Microsoft. Why? Motorola Mobility will have to diversify at some point because the Android device market is hyper competitive. Think you can sell an Android device for $299? You can, but the window is pretty short. Motorola's Atrix is in AT&T's bargain bin now for $99.
Every day Jha is in a dogfight with HTC and Samsung for Android market share. This Nielsen graphic tells the tale.
Now Jha barely thinks three smartphone operating systems will survive, but if Windows Phone 7 proves viable Motorola Mobility will see it as an option. Here's why:
- Android devices can't hold pricing and that will kill Motorola Mobility margins over the long run.
- The challenge to come up with differentiating features for Android devices will be tricky. Motorola Mobility has been playing to the enterprise.
- Motorola Mobility will need to diversify at some point.
- Intellectual property issues could also hurt the Android cost structure. Motorola Mobility's patent portfolio is strong so it's unlikely to be targeted like HTC, but there may be some unknown costs ahead for Android device manufacturers. With Microsoft, you'd at least have your patent ducks in a row.
Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.
Talkback
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
Personally, I think Ms needs a better theme before the phone becomes attractive to many peole.
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
If Windows Phone 7 is like Windows XP start menu then iOS is like Windows 3.1 program manager.
I think that WP7 is awesome. People just do not know. They think about windows mobile or do not think at all.
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
I like WP7 because I understand the interface.
Other people don't like it therefore they don't understand the interface.
Yeah...makes sense???
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
iOS is exactly like a Palm Pilot knock off.
It's just one heck of a knock off -- better than the original in almost every way (although there are still quite few things the Treo can do that an iPhone can't).
The Devil's on the details...
There are several problems with Windows Phone 7 and not all are technical at all.
From a purely technical standpoint, WP7 is a great interface but with an extremely difficult to maintain framework. Contrary to Apple, which uses it's own APIs to create any new app (including Game Center, iMessage, etc.) and thus is in a level ground with it's app providers, Microsoft does not use either XNA nor Silverlight to create the core WP7 "experience". That is mostly C++ under Silverlight for Windows Embedded. This makes it hard for Microsoft to keep the APIs up to date and add new functionality. Two teams. Two separate problems.
From a pure commercial point of view, Windows Phone 7 has a key problem. You need to *USE* it to convince yourself it is worthwhile. The problem is that tens of thousands of cell phone kiosks only have non-functional dummies and since most people need no demo for iPhone and Android has grown by word of mouth, there's no way this kiosks can lure people into WP7. Larger outlets (like Verizon stores) get higher margins on other phones, so that makes that even tougher. Only great looking Nokia phones could turn the tide, but we know Nokia is MIA in the U.S.
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
Bingo !
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
With the Window 7 Start Menu you have two halves... the left half can be used for items you pin to the Start menu like it is on the phone... the right half is for settings, media access and applications and this is much like the screen to the right of the start screen.
As for themes though, I think they really should look at a Monochrome High contrast Theme for the Tiles and backgrounds... This would make the content and images standout quite a bit.
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
I have (and love) a Windows phone, too. But when you're on your start screen on your WP, click the start button in your W7 installation. See all those "quick links" to the things you use most? Now, look back at your tiles on your WP. Next, click the "all programs" link at the bottom of the start menu in W7 and tap the arrow on your WP. See those alphabetical list of programs?
Sorry, but WP7 is almost exactly like the start button.
However, unlike @Peter Perry, I don't consider than a slam. The start button and WP are both awesome.
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
wp7 is by far the most modern and attractive OS out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZML1LzClT4&feature=relmfu
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
Now ask yourself this, would I have bothered to compliment it on the speed of the OS if I hated the thing?
Seriously, there's a reason it is still losing market share and that reason has to do with its looks.
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
If you say so. Attractive is subjective. I, for instance, don't find it attractive. Modern? Well, that's can have more objective parts, but what exactly makes it more modern?
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
Maybe, Maybe not. One thing is certain
that Android is being thrown onto some pretty low-end (read "not the greatest") hardware as it sounds like it's the only way to make a decent profit margin.
All three platforms will survive, the problem is how many cell phone manufactures will if left with only two OS?
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition
The speed of the OS however is enough to have anyone wanting to give it a shot but you have to pull them in somehow and that somehow is presentation.
You have never used WP7 have you?
<i>"Windows Phone 7 is fast but it is like taking the Windows XP / Vista / 7 start menu and making a phone UI out of it.."</i>
Hugghhh?????? Really?????? I mean Android is a poor quality knock off with no originality but WP7 has some very unique design goals with their various hubs. The design is very clean and well thought out.
Some of the things Mango brings to the table are darned impressive when compared to either iOS or CopycatOS (Android).
RE: Why Motorola is open to Windows Phone 7: Cutthroat Android competition