Tag: microsoft

Microsoft may Develop Xbox Live App for Android

When in December Microsoft launched an Xbox Live application for Apple’s iOS, many wondered what this could mean. We are accustomed to viewing these two companies as dire competitors and it is not easy to see any sign of cooperation. We want to view manufacturers and their brands as separated as possible, but now it emerges everything can get quite mixed up, especially when Microsoft had released an Xbox Live also for Windows Phone OS. Take this as globalization in the world of smartphones and gaming devices.

Microsoft posted a job offering, based on which it becomes apparent Microsoft plans to develop a similar app for Android OS. Very well, but what about Google, will it accept Microsoft offer, for it is evident this is not a Good Samaritan move, but a very subtle marketing strategy. Here is the part of the job announcement, “As a software development engineer on the team, you will have the opportunity to help define and design the experiences for the project, you will get to work with a team of energetic and talented developers, and you will have the luxury to work with all sorts of mobile devices to create the official Xbox LIVE mobile experiences.”

One guess is that some Android radical fans are not going to cheer this move, as they view possible penetration into Android OS of everything non-Android as some kind of a leprous disease. Good news for all true gamers, though.

Source

January 9, 2012 | 0 Comments More

Android Conquers Half of the World

Canalys tracked the smartphone markets in many countries and came to a conclusion that Android has already conquered 48 percent total market share worldwide. This is an absolute dominance, but not everything is in a favor of Google.

The survey showed Android is the number one platform in 35 of 56 countries. Apple is only in the second position with 19 percent even after selling 20.3 million iPhones. Obviously, Android is the main operating system for many smartphone manufacturers like HTC, Motorola, LG and Samsung, and this is why Google’s platform is this popular.

Now, to eliminate Google’s dominance, Microsoft, RIM and Apple combined forces with three other companies to outbid Google at an auction for Nortel’s wireless patents. This can become a headache for Google, since if this “pact” wins the lawsuit, the software giant will have to pay huge fees.

No matter how far Android goes, all these numbers will change soon, as iOS becomes more and more popular, not to mention Windows Phone OS. Though Google had started developing Android from 2005 and introduced it to mobile manufacturers back in 2008, we can say Android became really popular only during the last year. So there is still much work to do…

Source

August 2, 2011 | 0 Comments More

Microsoft Makes More Money on Android Than WP7

Microsoft spends millions of dollars to develop, support and promote its Windows Phone 7, but makes more money on Android instead of its own OS. An analyst from Citi Investment Research & Analysis, Walter Pritchard, has come to this conclusion when writing a report about Microsoft.

Walter Pritchard remembered that HTC pays Microsoft $5 for every smartphone based on Google’s Android OS, since Android uses some technologies that were patented by Microsoft. HTC manufactured about 30 million Android smartphones last year, and Microsoft sold about two million copies of its licensed Windows Phone 7 (each of them costs $15). 30×5=150, and 2×15=30, so Microsoft made $150 million on HTC’s Android phones and only $30 million on Windows Phone 7 licenses.

Of course, we shouldn’t forget that $30 million was made in one single quarter, and $150 million was made in four quarters. But even so, 30×4=120, so Microsoft would most likely make only $120 million on its Windows Phone 7, which is again less than the income from HTC’s Android devices.

By the way, we have heard that Microsoft has plans to make other Android smartphone manufacturers pay patent royalties ($7.5-12.5 for each smartphone), too. “Our understanding is Microsoft is looking for a $7.50 to $12.50 per unit license to settled alleged infringement of Microsoft patents,” Pritchard’s report says.

June 1, 2011 | 0 Comments More

Nokia to launch an Android netbook in 2010

Nokia, one of the major cell-phone manufacturers, is planning to enter the Android arena. This may not sound amusing. But the interesting part is that, it is planning to launch an Android netbook, and not an Android powered cell-phone. If this news is to be believed, this would be one of the first netbooks to be launched by the manufacturer.

Lazard Capital Markets analyst, Mr.Daniel Amir said “In our conversations with ODMs, we have confirmed that Nokia is planning to enter the netbook market with a Google Android, ARM-based netbook that would be sold at carriers. Considering this market is dominated by the PC players, we believe Nokia could face an uphill battle to succeed in this market.”

This is a really big move by the mobile phone biggie. The main reason could be the availability of the open source OS for free, whereas Microsoft charges a fortune for its Windows OS. Also, Android will prove to be a great fast-boot netbook.

[via androidarena]

June 27, 2009 | 1 Comment More

Acer confirms the launch an Android powered phone by the year end

About a month back, we had got some speculation that Acer is planning to launch an Android powered phone by the year end. Today, Acer confirmed the news.

As per reports, the company plans to sell 10 models of smartphones this year, with all BUT ONE using Microsoft’s Windows Mobile software. Acer’s Aymar de Lencquesaing said at the Global Technology Summit in Paris, “Late 2009, we’re releasing a smartphone… full touch, at the price of feature phones today”.

There are many other companies, like HP, Samsung, Motorola, etc. who are planning to launch Android powered devices. So, the competition in the Android market seems to be quite happening. But, it still remains to be seen, who wins the race.

May 22, 2009 | 0 Comments More
Next Page »