Forbes understands..

[plot_almighty]

Microsoft Needs To Get Aggressive With Windows Phone Right Now - Forbes

Link says it all.

 

[Chregu]

The company needs to get Windows Phone 8.1 onto as many current-gen devices as it can and significantly amp up its marketing efforts. Microsoft needs to get an array of Windows Phone-based devices onto every major carrier as well. And it also needs to do a better job of educating sales people on the benefits and features of Windows Phone. Building off of the Xbox One’s momentum could help lure in younger consumers, who may find Windows Phone’s Xbox integration and Smartglass features attractive. Associating Windows Phone with the recently released Surface Pro 3 and showing off the synergies possible with Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone would be advisable as well.

Updating phones fast will not happen, unless they can make something happening that didn't happen in the last 4 years.

What devices should they bring to these carriers? Windows Phone devices are certainly not more exciting than the current Android hardware. The 630 is laughable and even the Lumia 930 that's not even released yet features specs that you can get in a Sony Z1 Compact or in a Nexus 5 for a much lower price. Also, Microsoft much rather releases more Android phones it seems.

The Xbox One's momentum? The "okay, Kinect was a failure we don't sell as many consoles as we should"-momentum? Windows Phone's Xbox integration? What does that even mean, the games with a green name tag? Xbox games on Windows Phone have as much to do with the Xbox One as Xbox music...

What are the special synergies between Windows Phone and Windows 8? Onedrive? I really don't know, and I use both.

What I want to say: I don't think things are as easy as this article wants to make us believe.

 

[wuiyang]

no wonder why lumia 1820 (goldfinger, with 3D sensor touch), has been developing and might releasing in this year rather than 2015... it is the chance to make windows phone unique and attract more customer

 

[ajst222]

100% agree. Microsoft needs to market the 635 as the low end phone it hits the US, and they need to push their next flaghip (this fall) even harder. This is a crucial time...with Windows Phone 8.1 the OS appears to have everything it needs to compete, and official apps have been launching left and right. If they don't act, they'll lose.

 

[bilzkh]

Updating phones fast will not happen, unless they can make something happening that didn't happen in the last 4 years.

What devices should they bring to these carriers? Windows Phone devices are certainly not more exciting than the current Android hardware. The 630 is laughable and even the Lumia 930 that's not even released yet features specs that you can get in a Sony Z1 Compact or in a Nexus 5 for a much lower price. Also, Microsoft much rather releases more Android phones it seems.

The Xbox One's momentum? The "okay, Kinect was a failure we don't sell as many consoles as we should"-momentum? Windows Phone's Xbox integration? What does that even mean, the games with a green name tag? Xbox games on Windows Phone have as much to do with the Xbox One as Xbox music...

What are the special synergies between Windows Phone and Windows 8? Onedrive? I really don't know, and I use both.

What I want to say: I don't think things are as easy as this article wants to make us believe.

1. Updating to Windows Phone 8.1 can be made easy by Microsoft, it just depends on how the carriers will react. One way would be to give carriers full control over OS + firmware updates, but in parallel, offer OS-only updates to users directly. I imagine that would be an OK compromise considering that Nokia is no longer the sole maker of WPs.

2. Yes, WP lacks compelling devices for carriers to pick up. As it stands, carriers are more enthusiastic about low-end Windows Phone, they do better on the market than their high-end counterparts.

However, Microsoft did have a shot in offering a compelling mid-range device for the carriers: Take the Moto G with LTE and add PureView (i.e. an updated version of the L920's camera) and micro-SD slot.

By having this device start at $299 off-contract and cheap/free on-contract, and with a variety of colours, replaceable shells, etc, Microsoft can position this as a comfortable choice for carriers. It wouldn't surprise me if most or even all major carriers pick up said mid-range device. It's a safe bet for the carriers and still compelling to the market (given the price and the value offered by a good camera).

As for high-end, if carriers are not forthcoming in a given region, Microsoft can sell to users directly off-contract and unlocked, or perhaps tie the phone to an upfront purchase of 2 years worth of Xbox Music/Gold, SkyDrive, Skype and/or Office 365 subscriptions. The latter option might be tempting to enterprise customers.