How Microsoft Can Succeed In Mobile
As seen in Forbes: Ultimate Showdown: Microsoft Vs. Google June 2, 2008
As a start-up focused on delivering services to the next generation mobile Internet devices, we are constantly amazed at the failure of Microsoft to repeat its Windows and Office success in the mobile world. And the problem is just that: Microsoft has a history of seeing all opportunities within the narrow definition of its existing world and past wins. Repeatedly they have seen new devices, for example, as simply "little PCs." This has led to a long litany of disappointments in handhelds that will repeat unless a new approach is realized.
In contrast, Google is more likely to foster the same sort of innovative and open environment in mobile that has succeeded so well in the Web. Real success in mobile is possible and we find it incredible that in one short year Apple has gone from no presence to being arguably the defining standard for what will finally displace the typical mobile handset. Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt's spot on the Apple board notwithstanding, there is no natural relationship between Apple and Google that precludes a Microsoft-Google alliance. Wouldn't this be a more rational outcome?
Think back to Microsoft and IBM. There was certainly no love lost between them. IBM could have easily taken a very competitive position against Microsoft; indeed, the OS/2 team would certainly have expected such a reaction. Instead, IBM partnered and became one of the dominant suppliers of PCs and PC technologies, enabled by the Microsoft core capabilities. Microsoft and Google should be no different. Microsoft doesn’t sell hardware but it could partner with Google in a game-changing move in mobile by bringing new economics to phone software and services.
Our fundamental belief is that the mobile world has been completely devoid of the innovation of the Web because of economic and technical barriers. As we work to eliminate these, Microsoft is missing an opportunity that should rightfully belong to it, given the many years of effort behind Windows Mobile.
Leave a comment