Microsoft Mobile business woes

[blacquay]

In my opinion, I think the problem with windows phone is Microsoft not understanding market dynamics. To me the OS is just good and developing. I think to get critical mass, Microsoft needs to focus majorly on emerging markets in Africa, South America and some parts of Europe. If they can get high volume growth in these areas, apps will naturally come.

That has been the android strategy of Samsung and others, they push vigorously in developing markets where they can grow vs US market.

Personally, I think all the woes of MSFT in the US is caused by the media. They get too much negative reporting and seems the media are always looking for a reason to shade MSFT. Nothing they do can ever be good, if APPL or GOOG do same, they are praised to the high heavens.

Its time to abandon the US only strategy and focus on the rest of the world if MSFT wants to remain relevant. US is overspoilt for tech, so go to the areas where they will adopt you afresh.

what do you think.

By the way build 10166 on phones is looking good, some sleek new features such as opening apps from windows store (a long requested feature)

 

[gMaesterUK]

I agree, MSFT need to focus away from the US market. Here in the UK, Windows Phone market share is at 10% (up from 6.6% beginning of year). In six months MSFT have increased over 3.4%! In the same time, Android only increased 2% and Apple lost 5.2%! - According to Kantar Worldpanel

If MSFT would only focus say on Europe, like they're going to with the Xbox One, I'm sure they'll get at least double digits in most countries.
But while MSFT are focusing on the US where to be honest they're not going to be in the high singles for a number of years (if ever), they are dropping the ball in other countries where they have a very good chance of becoming 2nd.

How many US bands make themselves famous outside of the US before coming home? While WinPhone is not a fad or a "must-have", US buyers for the most part will ignore.

Just my opinion on the subject.

G.

 

[Zachary Boddy]

They're focusing on the USA because of the media. Most of the technology media does come from America, and getting a good foothold in the USA means getting a foothold in the media. It's the gateway to the rest of the world.
That's not to say your idea wouldn't work. I agree, Microsoft needs to push their products into the rest of the world. Bing is one of the big ones. Microsoft needs to step up, update Bing, and push it into every market on Earth. If Microsoft can get a good foothold with budget devices in emerging markets, they can get into the media and possibly get a way into selling more high end devices in the USA, and Europe. It might work better if Microsoft focused on Europe as well, since they actually have a pretty decent foothold there already.
Microsoft has always been really bad at two things, though: Marketing and Communication.

 

[gMaesterUK]

They're focusing on the USA because of the media.

I would agree with you, however with the media on the whole being anti-MSFT, MSFT have ZERO chance of going down that avenue and being successful. Instead they need to get wins elsewhere to get WinPhone to be more mainstream, only then will the media organisations be more positive about WinPhone.

I remember Blackberry being seen as only a business phone, then BBM took off with the teens, and it became mainstream (for a time).
MSFT either need a killer app designed to be honest for the teens, or to get serious traction elsewhere...

G.

 

[Zachary Boddy]

I would agree with you, however with the media on the whole being anti-MSFT, MSFT have ZERO chance of going down that avenue and being successful. Instead they need to get wins elsewhere to get WinPhone to be more mainstream, only then will the media organisations be more positive about WinPhone.

I remember Blackberry being seen as only a business phone, then BBM took off with the teens, and it became mainstream (for a time).
MSFT either need a killer app designed to be honest for the teens, or to get serious traction elsewhere...

G.

I didn't say it was smart to focus on the USA, only that Microsoft had a reason. Haha.