At the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce annual luncheon today, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella spoke about his company’s vision. While taking on questions and dishing out answers, Nadella was questioned about Microsoft’s lack of market share when it comes to smartphones. More specifically, what the heck is going on with Windows Phone?
According to the latest data from research firm comScore, there has been improvements in Windows Phone’s market share in the United States. Microsoft’s mobile operating system has grown from 3.3 percent it had in April to 3.6 percent as recorded at the end of July. However, this is weak compared to rivals Android (52.5 percent) and iOS (42.4 percent) — there is no sugarcoating or denying that fact.
“How do you see yourself positioning Microsoft to increase its market share to become an even stronger competitor?” asks Seattle Chamber President and CEO Maud Daudon. Nadella responds by stating that it is not about the market share, rather it is about mobility and people at the center.
When we define mobile in the marketplace, we don’t think of it by today’s market share positions on a given form factor. Devices and device sizes will come and go, even within a single year, you will be changing multiple phones. It’s more about the mobility. In fact, if there’s anything central to our vision, it’s don’t think of the device at the center, think of the individual, the people at the center. And then have the platforms and productivity experiences get built with that at the center.
So you will have many devices, you will have small devices, large devices, and devices that have not yet been created that will come in time. But what’s going to be the constant? Your digital memories, your productivity experiences across all of those devices. That’s really the center of how we think about innovating today and into the future.
And also we are very grounded on this cross-platform world. One of the things that you’ll find is Microsoft icons on any phone — irrespective of whether it’s a Windows Phone or not. That’s our core goal: Things like Office, things like Skype are broadly available. And Minecraft! On every 8-year-old’s phone, for sure.
Nadella’s focus on mobility and people is a big plus. Notice the part where he said “you’ll find Microsoft icons on any phone.” Nadella is right. Microsoft has been releasing apps on rival platforms, and the next big Microsoft app to hit Android will be Office.
Nadella didn’t give a direct answer about how the company will ever overtake Android or iOS in terms of popularity or market share, but it is quite obvious that Microsoft is looking to capitalize on those popular platforms, along with offering consumers a third choice with Windows Phone (rumored to just be branded as “Windows” phones).
Further reading: Android, iOS, Microsoft, Satya Nadella, Windows Phone
