Why Microsoft is both RIGHT and WRONG when they say that W10M is not their priority in 2016

[anon(7929613)]

Smartphones are the latest buzz and everyone including Microsoft knows this. Smartphones are more popular than tablets, laptops and desktops. So it would have been logical for Microsoft to focus on smartphones. But there are bigger things at play here. If Microsoft plans to take on Android or iOS directly, they will have to jump inside Google’s or Apple’s playground. And the moment they do that, they will have to follow the rules created by Google and Apple. So the probability of winning this battle will be very less. Take the YouTube app as an example. Google will never allow this app to exist on Windows. Google will never allow Microsoft to win in their playground. They will bend the rules and do everything to stop Microsoft. So Microsoft stopped competing Google or Apple in the smartphone segment.

By focussing on Windows 10 on tablets, laptops, XBOX and HoloLens, and making them mobile, they are forcing the likes of Google and Apple to fight Microsoft in Microsoft’s own playground where Microsoft will make the rules. Right now, they are focussing on improving their strengths. And that’s a right way to go.

Microsoft is right when they say that “Smartphones are not their priority in 2016” because devices will not be classified on the basis of their screen’s size in times to come. An operating system that runs on devices with varying form factor will the one that will eventually survive.
As per this logic, Microsoft is wrong in giving more importance to devices with larger displays. Microsoft should just focus on making Windows 10 as mobile and feature rich as possible so that it can run efficiently on any device including smartphones. That should be their priority in 2016.

 

[jmshub]

You make a great point here. Microsoft is playing against a stacked deck when services that people want from Google are not available on Windows Phone.

The fact of the matter is that is this is anti-competitive measures. Probably not near enough to be considered antitrust, but certainly not consumer friendly. Microsoft was guilty of this kind of behavior in the 90s when they dominated computing, and they got penalized by the US Justice Department.

Google uses their dominance to similar effect today, and unfortunately, the only thing that will make them play fair would to decline to a minority stake and have to fight to stay competitive.

 

[tgp]

Google uses their dominance to similar effect today, and unfortunately, the only thing that will make them play fair would to decline to a minority stake and have to fight to stay competitive.

Google is far from dominating. Have you heard of this little company in Cupertino?

 

[jmshub]

Do you think it's unfair to say that refusing to make a Youtube client for Windows devices isn't using their dominant position against Microsoft? It could be argued that not making an app for Windows Phone is a business decision, but there are at least a quarter billion users of Windows 10 on PCs and tablets. Not making any Google apps for Windows is anti-competitive.

All of that discusses Google apps and services, and really has nothing to do with Apple. Apple's services really don't span platforms, they really do mostly use their apps and services to support iOS.

 

[tgp]

Microsoft is not putting their services on every platform to be nice or fair. They are doing it because it pencils. Google is doing the opposite because it pencils.

TL;DR: Both Microsoft and Google are doing what pencils.

 

[a5cent]

Google is far from dominating. Have you heard of this little company in Cupertino?

Probably depends on how you define dominating...

Apple dominates im terms of smartphone OEM revenue and profits (>80%) and brand value (mind share).

Google dominates in terms of OS market share (>80%) and technological influence (their ability to dictate standards in the mobile space).

Here I'm arbitrarily declaring 80% to be the mark which defines "dominating".

 

[tgp]

Probably depends on how you define dominating...

Apple dominates im terms of smartphone OEM revenue and profits (>80%) and brand value (mind share).

Google dominates in terms of OS market share (>80%) and technological influence (their ability to dictate standards in the mobile space).

Here I'm arbitrarily declaring 80% to be the mark which defines "dominating".

Don't get me wrong; I have no doubt that Google is calculating the damage to WP adoption into their decision not to provide apps. However, I do not believe that it is the ONLY reason for their decisions. It is merely a part of the equation. They provide first rate apps for iOS, who is also a competitor. Like I said, they're doing what (they believe) pencils.