News Analysis: Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 is down on its luck. But there are certain things the company can do to induce Android users to shift to the Microsoft mobile operating system.
Microsoft finds itself in a
very bad spot in the mobile market. The company's chief competitor, Android, is
running away with the smartphone market. In the tablet space, Apple's iOS is
the go-to platform for most consumers and enterprise users. Microsoft,
meanwhile, is trying to make Windows Phone 7 a desired choice for consumers in
the smartphone space. It also hopes that folks will be willing to wait for Windows
8 before buying a tablet.
However,
Microsoft appears to be failing in its goals. Now, the company must do
something to reverse its luck and prove once and for all that it knows what to
do to be a success in the hotly contested mobile market.
Unfortunately for Microsoft,
while there are several options available to it, only one has a reasonable
chance of success-trying to lure current Android users to Windows.
Google's operating system
might be the most dominant force in the mobile space, but it's also Microsoft's
biggest threat. What's more, it's arguably the easiest operating system to
criticize and convince customers to move back onto Microsoft's corner.
Read on to find out what
Microsoft should be doing to lure Android users back to its products.
1. Focus on security
The
biggest issue facing Android is its security woes. The operating system is
increasingly being targeted by malicious hackers, and Google has been forced to
remove many malware-tainted applications from the Android Market. Windows Phone
7, on the other hand, hasn't suffered so many security issues. If Microsoft
wants to coax more folks to its mobile platform, why not point that out?
2. Strike better deals with handset makers
So far, Microsoft has been
able to strike some deals with handset makers, like Samsung and HTC, but it
appears those companies are saving their best products for Android. Microsoft
can no longer allow that. Even if it has to give companies extra cash or better
deals, Microsoft should find a way to get only
the best handsets running its operating system.
3. Leverage Windows
Microsoft has a huge
installed base of Windows users that, so far, the company has done little to
exploit. The smart move now is to do everything it can to leverage the
popularity of Windows to grow its mobile market. Microsoft might be doing that
to some extent with Windows 8 and its "tiles" layout, but more needs to be done
now.
4. Where are all the tablets?
Microsoft's inability to get
tablets on store shelves has proven to be a real liability for the company.
Tablets are gaining popularity by the day, and Android devices, like the Galaxy
Tab 10.1, are winning new sales. Whether Microsoft likes it or not, the company
must get Windows tablets to store shelves as soon as possible. It'll prove that
it at least understands what consumers want and then it can start cutting into
Android's market share.
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