Microsoft has lost battle in smartphone battle

Absrtact: Clearly, Microsoft has lost its fighting power in the smartphone war. Currently, Windows phone's market share in the US and Western Europe is less than 3%, far behind iOS and Android. In emerging markets, Windows phone has a slightly better market share, but

Clearly, Microsoft has lost its fighting power in the smartphone war. Currently, Windows phone's market share in the US and Western Europe is less than 3%, far behind iOS and Android. In emerging markets, Windows phone has a slightly better market share, but its profits for Microsoft are slim. The computing market is now moving from desktop PCs to smartphones and tablets, while Microsoft is the first to suffer.

As we all know, Microsoft is the most influential company in the global Office, and its windows and Office software still dominate the enterprise market. When consumers leave the office, however, they move away from Microsoft's world, instead using devices with Apple and Samsung logos to run iOS or Android operating systems. This is a very troubling question for Microsoft. There is no doubt that Microsoft is currently trying to find solutions to the problem.

Currently, Windows phone business has made some progress in some emerging markets, such as South America and India. But in regions such as Western Europe and the US, Windows phone can be said to be "combat-free", with Samsung and Apple controlling 99% of the region's mobile-sector profits. Perhaps Microsoft is complacent about Windows Phone's ability to rank third in the market. However, the Windows phone business does not actually deliver substantial benefits.

Great opportunity

Currently, Microsoft's most influential product in the consumer market may be Xbox consoles, but many users do not know that the Xbox is part of Microsoft, partly because of a lack of awareness of Microsoft's brand. In addition, compared to smartphones, tablet computers and other devices, the market size of the game machine is dwarfed. But even if Microsoft misses the smartphone and tablet market, it has the opportunity to do well in another emerging market area, the wearable equipment market. Analysts from Canalys, a research firm, say that in 2017, there will be more than 45 million annual sales of wearable equipment. Many analysts believe that if we want to regain prestige in consumer technology, Microsoft must look to the future, and wearable equipment is a big opportunity that it should seize.

At present, big brands such as Apple, Google, Motorola, Samsung, LG and Sony are focusing on the wearable equipment market, and most of the products they plan or have launched are smart watches. Currently, Google has launched the Android Wear operating system for wearable devices and teamed up with Motorola to launch an impressive Moto 360 smart watch.

There's no clear winner.

Currently, the smart watch market is in its infancy and there is no clear winner. Apple will launch the iwatch smart watch in September 2014, along with Google's Android Wear, which has released Moto 360 and captured a lot of media with its beautiful rounded surface design. However, for smart watches, the appearance of beauty is only a small factor of success, so the success of Moto 360 is far from certainty.

It can be said that the status of the smart watch market is rather sluggish. As long as Microsoft grasps the opportunity, it is very possible to have a big job in this market. Microsoft is a very strong financial company, can be invested in a large amount of money to carry out wearable equipment research and development. Perhaps this upfront investment may be as high as $ billions of trillion, but once it succeeds, the fruits of victory will have a greater advantage for Microsoft.

And according to the exposure of the patent application, Microsoft does intend to enter the smart watch industry. According to the patent chart, the dial of the Microsoft Smart Watch can be picked off individually, and then replaced by different colors of the wrist strap, very fashionable feeling. At the same time, the Microsoft Smart Watch will also adopt a touch screen and a base that can be used to connect the charger or sync with the PC and notebook.

Windows Phone Watch

Windows phone is designed for smaller screens, and its user interface works perfectly with wrist devices, giving users a clear view of the information. At the same time, the lack of Windows phone applications does not affect smart watch users too much, after all, the current smart watch function is quite limited.

In addition, Microsoft's 7.2 billion dollar acquisition of the Nokia equipment and services sector will also be the development of its smart watch to play a role in promoting. Although Nokia lacks experience in the design of wearable devices, the company has many years of history of smartphone design, which can also be useful for smart watch design.

Perhaps Microsoft will join hands with Nokia to bring us a variety of smart watch devices, and formally bring the Microsoft hardware brand into the eyes of consumers.