There’s one manufacturer which rules the Windows Phone roost, it’s a brand we’ve all heard of and most of us will have owned a device from at some point… it’s the Finnish legends at Nokia.
Whilst Windows Phone is available to other OEMs – with a license-fee – there has been little interest; only a limited amounts of handsets have been released so far from the likes of Samsung, HTC, and Huawei…
Perhaps taking a look at the problems faced by OEMs in the Android market – who struggle to compete in market share against Samsung – Microsoft is said to be dropping the license fee altogether and make Windows Phone, like Android, completely free to manufacture for…
This should make the rising-platform more appealing to manufacturers; creating a more steady-market of devices and healthier competition. The more Windows Phones in stores, the more consumers are likely to pick up and experience the unique benefits offered by Microsoft’s mobile OS – especially when pitted against the 80% of the store (at a guess) which are Android handsets.
Of course this is a very different move for Microsoft – who gains the majority of their profits in license fees through the many Windows PCs occupying consumers’ and enterprises’ desks…
The Redmond-based company is said to have already waived the license fee for two Indian phone makers – Karbonn and Lava (Xolo). These two OEMs are new to Windows Phone, and currently only create low-cost Android handsets. It’s thought that – although in talks previously – both manufacturers only agreed to build Windows Phones after the license fee was dropped.
Windows Phone’s best-selling device worldwide is Nokia’s low-cost Lumia 520, further repeats of this success in India is sure to be promoted.
The move on mobile would follow a similar strategy from Microsoft on the desktop; where license fees have also been cut 70%. What’s more interesting is for the end-consumer, who it is said will soon have the option of a completely free “Bing” version of Windows.
What do you think of Microsoft’s move to scrap license fees across Windows?
