This summer hasn’t been the best for Nokia and Microsoft, courtesy of the outright rejection of Windows phone in the North American Continent. If things continue to remain the way they are, then the same situation could translate to this fall, when Microsoft will launch the next line of operating system for mobiles, Windows 8. Microsoft’s biggest Windows Phone smartphone partner, Nokia, announced that a total of 4 million Lumia phones have been shipped worldwide starting from April to June. Furthermore the company announced several rejections across the globe, the highest of which came from Canada and USA. The company only managed to ship a total of 600,000 phones in these regions. In comparison, Android powerhouse Samsung shipped a total of 50 million smartphones in thesame period. Apple’s figures amounted to 35 million and even the struggling RIM shipped 7.8 million devices in the same period (inclusive of March).
Nokia’s struggles in the North American continent are not new, as the company finds it difficult to convince customers into switching to a new interface. Recent reports filed by Nielsen estimate the share of Windows Phone 7 users at 1.3 per cent. This is lower than the previous version of the mobile OS, which stands at 3% of the total share. Shocking indeed! The same report estimates Android’s share at 51% followed by iOS at 34% and RIM at 9%.
These figures aren’t expected to turn in Microsoft’s favour even as the tech giant prepares to launch Windows 8 this fall. Despite the cheap pricing of phones like the Lumia 900 (less than $50), the sales aren’t expected to rise as Windows 7 phones cannot upgrade to Windows 8. Instead these phones will receive an update that will give them a UI similar to Windows 8.
There are several features that these phones would be denied. First of all, Windows 8 phones will support HD resolution i.e. 1280 X 768 and 1280 X 720. They will possess extendable memory courtesy of a memory card slot, a digital wallet hub and finally the all new NFC protocol. Despite these features and a critically acclaimed OS, both Windows and Nokia aren’t confident enough at retaining their lost share. Apps is one area that this OS needs to develop as even popular apps like instagram and Dropbox are absent on this platform. The phone can also afford an increase in functionality like uploading pictures to your sky drive when you’re on Wi-Fi. The OS is yet to be released, but if Microsoft and Nokia can introspect and devise a better plan, this new OS is guaranteed to rope in success.
