When Microsoft entered the mobile phone arena hopes were high. We thought they were going to power their way up the ladder and lead in the space. After all they are the primary computer operating software, have a very strong brand, so why wouldn't that translate to the mobile world? However so far they have been a disappointment. The current Windows Mobile operating system has been too complicated and Microsoft doesn't seem to know it. Worse Apple and Google have stolen the headlines. Could that be getting ready to change with Mobile 7?
Listening to Microsoft it sounds like they are wildly successful with Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system. However I have tried several versions of the OS and even though it looked like and tried to act like Windows, it did not cut it. This was just too confusing for a wireless phone. Even a smart phone.It's an inverse relationship. The more powerful a smart phone, the easier the operating system needs to be. If the operating system is complicated or has too many steps, it will not be popular, period. Mobile phone operating system needs to be simpler and operate with fewer clicks.
The Microsoft OS is on roughly 10% of the phones sent out last year in 2009. That's only about 1% better than their market share in 2006. That means Microsoft has stalled.
Apple started with no market share in 2006. They launched the iPhone in 2007 and market share is already up to around 13%. Apple struck gold and keeps growing rapidly. How long will that continue?
Google is next. We don't yet know the numbers, but I expect the market share to grow as quickly as Apple.
As we watch Google we should also be asking who will be next?
A few years ago Microsoft entering the wireless space was big news, but in the few yeas since Apple and now Google have changed the language and nobody is even talking about Microsoft anymore.
So what will Microsoft do to reverse their fortunes?
There is plenty of competition in recent years. Since Apple jumped in to the smart phone space a few years ago the bar is raised even higher. The simplicity and beauty of the Apple design is awesome. Even though it does not do some of the easy basics that are important for many users it is still popular. When they fix these issues it will be even more popular.
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| Will Windows Mobile 7 Resuscitate Microsoft? |
Google has jumped in with their Android system and that is a getting even more media attention than Apple this year. Google even unveiled their own device. This is the next big adventure to follow.
These two companies have transformed the wireless space during the last few years. Look what happened to Palm. They started the smart phone revolution and were successful a decade ago. Now they are a small player.
What will be the next big revolution in the wireless operating system battle? Will it be from Apple or Google or someone else?
These companies are changing the language. Speaking a language that Microsoft just doesn't. Who would have thought it possible, but suddenly Microsoft looks like a big old industry giant. Just like AT&T did in the 1990's. Still commanding large market share, but struggling on the creative side.
AT&T reinvented itself in the last 6 years and is doing well again. Can Microsoft?
Many handset makers have explored several different options. Palm for instance started out with their famous Palm OS. Then started using the Microsoft Windows Mobile OS. Then rolled out their Palm webOS. Today they have all three on the market as they continue to listen to customers and compare.
RIM Blackberry has its own operating system. Nokia, Samsung, Ericsson, LG, HTC and others are all dealing with the same questions. Which operating system to use in their devices? Which do customers really love?
The wireless customer base has hundreds of millions of different users in the United States alone. It is massive. In that group expecting one OS to win with everyone is unreasonable. But different people like different operating systems for different reasons.
An objective look at today's market sees winners and losers. Microsoft was considered a winner several years ago. However today both Apple and Google have taken that away and Microsoft is just blowing in the wind.
The first thing they have to do it re-think everything. They still have a very strong, but tired brand. First thing they have to do is update the brand.
They recently released the new Windows 7 and it has been successful so far. That is good. The problem is they released it under their tired old brand. So to my way of thinking, it could have been much more successful.
Microsoft needs to reinvent the brand. Give it a young, new, aggressive, energetic feel. That's who they are competing against. Microsoft needs to break the rules. They may have created the old rules, but that was yesterday.
Look at the success of Google. It broke the rules. Now it is moving into business after business and changing the rules of each. Google doesn't enter and try to compete. Google redefines the rules of the game and can win right out of the box. It is not magic. It's just that they set the new rules of the game. Smart thinking.
These two companies have transformed the wireless space during the last few years. Look what happened to Palm. They started the smart phone revolution and were successful a decade ago. Now they are a small player.
What will be the next big revolution in the wireless operating system battle? Will it be from Apple or Google or someone else?
These companies are changing the language. Speaking a language that Microsoft just doesn't. Who would have thought it possible, but suddenly Microsoft looks like a big old industry giant. Just like AT&T did in the 1990's. Still commanding large market share, but struggling on the creative side.
AT&T reinvented itself in the last 6 years and is doing well again. Can Microsoft?
Many handset makers have explored several different options. Palm for instance started out with their famous Palm OS. Then started using the Microsoft Windows Mobile OS. Then rolled out their Palm webOS. Today they have all three on the market as they continue to listen to customers and compare.
RIM Blackberry has its own operating system. Nokia, Samsung, Ericsson, LG, HTC and others are all dealing with the same questions. Which operating system to use in their devices? Which do customers really love?
The wireless customer base has hundreds of millions of different users in the United States alone. It is massive. In that group expecting one OS to win with everyone is unreasonable. But different people like different operating systems for different reasons.
An objective look at today's market sees winners and losers. Microsoft was considered a winner several years ago. However today both Apple and Google have taken that away and Microsoft is just blowing in the wind.
The first thing they have to do it re-think everything. They still have a very strong, but tired brand. First thing they have to do is update the brand.
They recently released the new Windows 7 and it has been successful so far. That is good. The problem is they released it under their tired old brand. So to my way of thinking, it could have been much more successful.
Microsoft needs to reinvent the brand. Give it a young, new, aggressive, energetic feel. That's who they are competing against. Microsoft needs to break the rules. They may have created the old rules, but that was yesterday.
Look at the success of Google. It broke the rules. Now it is moving into business after business and changing the rules of each. Google doesn't enter and try to compete. Google redefines the rules of the game and can win right out of the box. It is not magic. It's just that they set the new rules of the game. Smart thinking.
 |
| Will Windows Mobile 7 Resuscitate Microsoft? |
This was the same as what Apple did. Apple has a unique relationship with their customers who stand outside of stores all night to be the first to buy the new version of the iPhone. That's also magic. A special relationship with the customer.
Now think of Microsoft. A very successful, but very large, and now very old company, compared with the newcomers.
If you want to be number one in the marketplace, you have to reinvent it with you on top.
Now think of Microsoft. A very successful, but very large, and now very old company, compared with the newcomers.
If you want to be number one in the marketplace, you have to reinvent it with you on top.
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