Thursday, March 13, 2014: It is pretty clear by now that Windows Phone has failed to make a mark in the market across the globe. The winners like Google’s Android OS and Apple’s iOS have led the software giant Microsoft to ease the profit margins. In a fresh move to give the much-desired boost to the Windows Phone OS, Microsoft is waiving off the licence fee and offering it to two Indian makers, for free.
Microsoft had announced last month, that more phone makers including two from India, Lava and Karbonn, will produce Windows Phone devices in the coming months. Both Indian companies make Android devices, which are based on free OS. It is believed that Windows based-phones from Lava and Karbonn are likely to come in the market in the coming months.
Microsoft did not even give the Windows Phone OS for free to Nokia too, its major OEM partner. Reportedly, Microsoft charged Nokia between $20 to $30 for each Lumia that the company sold. It is said that the free OS represents the company’s desperation to land a straight lead in the market. It is largely seen that licensing fees of Microsoft’s software has been its major income. The company is exploring new models for the Windows Phone, as the operating system did not work out despite the support from a brand like Nokia.
Microsoft is likely to offer similar free Windows phone OS to other manufacturers, as well. According to IDC figures, Windows phone OS has less than 10 per cent share in India’s smartphone market.
Source: efytimes.com
