Microsoft working on a phone?

[ITHURTSWHENIP]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsav...st-branded-tablets-next-their-own-cell-phone/

 

[joshhedge]

They're just screwing all of their OEMs by doing this. I do love WP7 though, far more than Android and iOS.

 

[dagamer34]

If analysts had no clue about a tablet a week ago, then they are simply guessing about a phone today. Besides, Microsoft and Nokia have a contract and certainly there is a line in there that says something like a) if we fail, you agree to buy us out and b) Microsoft cannot make its own smartphones.

 

[WelshBloke]

They're just screwing all of their OEMs by doing this...

I dont see why it would be any more of a problem than Googles Nexus line is to Android.

 

[Sheep]

Besides, Microsoft and Nokia have a contract and certainly there is a line in there that says something like a) if we fail, you agree to buy us out and b) Microsoft cannot make its own smartphones.

I don't see where (a) or (b) are required parts of the deal between Microsoft and Nokia. Nokia doesn't have WP exclusivity and there are half a dozen other companies making Windows Phones out there (or at least there were at the start). Microsoft would be dumb to sign away the rights to produce their own phone unless they had bought out Nokia outright.

 

[dagamer34]

I don't see where (a) or (b) are required parts of the deal between Microsoft and Nokia. Nokia doesn't have WP exclusivity and there are half a dozen other companies making Windows Phones out there (or at least there were at the start). Microsoft would be dumb to sign away the rights to produce their own phone unless they had bought out Nokia outright.

They've already invested $1 billion into Nokia. Making their own phone sends Nokia into a tailspin, pisses on all of their other Windows Phone partners, and basically dooms the platform. Just look at how Windows OEMs reacted to the Microsoft Surface: they either didn't say anything about it (the polite thing to do), or publicly trashed it (Acer).

As far as I know in the history of operating systems, there has never been an OS where the OS vendor competed with it's licensees with hardware and it lasted for a significant period of time. Apple killed the clone program when Steve Jobs came back and Palm totally switched operating systems to WebOS after the iPhone was released. If the company depends on hardware sales, it just doesn't work.

 

[WelshBloke]

They've already invested $1 billion into Nokia. Making their own phone sends Nokia into a tailspin, pisses on all of their other Windows Phone partners, and basically dooms the platform. Just look at how Windows OEMs reacted to the Microsoft Surface: they either didn't say anything about it (the polite thing to do), or publicly trashed it (Acer).

As far as I know in the history of operating systems, there has never been an OS where the OS vendor competed with it's licensees with hardware and it lasted for a significant period of time. Apple killed the clone program when Steve Jobs came back and Palm totally switched operating systems to WebOS after the iPhone was released. If the company depends on hardware sales, it just doesn't work.

Android and the Nexus line?

 

[BladeVenom]

I dont see why it would be any more of a problem than Googles Nexus line is to Android.

Google isn't charging anyone for Android OS. So they won't be undercutting the competition with the price of the software.

 

[dagamer34]

I dont see why it would be any more of a problem than Googles Nexus line is to Android.

Google partners with OEMs to build Nexus devices. Nexus devices have always had the best software (being pure Google) but rather crappy hardware. Nexus One had a crappy screen, Nexus S was soon outclassed by the Galaxy S II, and the Galaxy Nexus had a camera no one really wanted.

 

[crisscross]

Here is one reason why MS might have lost confidence in the traditional PC makers. http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/15/3076519/vizio-reboot-pc-american-hdtv-success-do-it-again

 

[ITHURTSWHENIP]

If analysts had no clue about a tablet a week ago, then they are simply guessing about a phone today. Besides, Microsoft and Nokia have a contract and certainly there is a line in there that says something like a) if we fail, you agree to buy us out and b) Microsoft cannot make its own smartphones.

That doesnt make any sense. Why would Nokias board agree to a line in the contract that allows them to be bought when their stock is at its lowest. If anything they would want as much money as possible if they want to sell the company

 

[dagamer34]

That doesnt make any sense. Why would Nokias board agree to a line in the contract that allows them to be bought when their stock is at its lowest. If anything they would want as much money as possible if they want to sell the company

I assume there's some premium attached to the stock price. It's not as if they are going to be willingly bought when everything is going well just because the stock is worth more...

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Here is one reason why MS might have lost confidence in the traditional PC makers. http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/15/3076519/vizio-reboot-pc-american-hdtv-success-do-it-again

Vizio's pc business in interesting, they seem to understand what actually makes a good product unlike many of the Windows OEM's who seem content to churn out the same bland crap year after year. If I was in the market for a laptop I would buy their 15" ultrabook without any hesitation.