Hey Guys, let us not forget that Google, or should I say android, is only present on mobile and tablet space. Microsoft has PCs, servers, Xbox and mobile OS is the newest kid of MS's block. They are going in the right direction in my opinion. They made a blunder in entering late this field otherwise, Android users would be cribbing about lack of OS on that platform.
Having said that, I feel windows is adding apps to its fold. However, that number cannot and will not improve unless we have a much bigger user base.
Microsoft should aggressively target corporate users in my opinion. They will not give a damn if the latest and most popular games are there on the phones or not. They will want their VPNs, documents, conference calls, outlook mails and calendars etc. to work on mobiles and tabs. That is where Microsoft has an inherent advantage. Windows is more secure and more compatible with existing OS in offices. Also the collaboration through MS Lync is much better than anything else present in the market.
At the end user side, i.e. our side, only thing that MS can do is to compete on price. If much smaller players can provide best of specs at such ridiculous prices, there is no reason for Lumia phones to be at par or just a tad lower than Samsung/HTC/iPhones. Typically entry level should be about $100 or less, lower mid-range (630 & 730) should be about $150, upper mid range (830/1330) should be less than $200 and the flagship phones should not be priced more than $350. I am not being too demanding or unrealistic. Even with with Quad/octa core processors, 2GB or more of RAM, front camera of 2MP and rear of 12MP or more, there are phones in China and India which cost less than $300. If those guys can do it, I am sure MS can do so at may be $50 (or maximum of $100) more with its much deeper pockets. Even if it means losing on margins for first couple of years then so be it. Once it has the volumes it need not worry about low margins. That kind of aggression will break competition and developers would be left with no choice but to make Windows their go to platform for developing apps.
Till that time we will have complaints from users and developers alike. Price is the only thing that can shut everything up and push sales. Rest all is BS