Microsoft incearca de ani de zile sa-si faca Windows Phone-ul popular in fata platformelor concurente pentru terminale mobile, insa o componenta a strategiei sale i-a pus mereu piedica in cresterea vanzarilor de terminale. Vorbesc desigur despre faptul ca Microsoft aplica o taxa de licentiere partenerilor sai care produc terminale Windows Phone sau Windows RT si le comercializeaza in lumea intreaga, compania gandindu-se acum sa renunte la aceasta taxa de licentere pentru a isi creste vanzarile. Desi Microsoft inregistreaza venituri considerabile in baza licentierii Windows Phone si Windows RT catre partenerii sai, compania ar fi dispusa sa renunte la aceste sume pentru a isi creste vanzarile, mizand pe faptul ca vanzarea de aplicatii si reclamele din ele vor compensa o buna parte din pierdere.
Microsoft is considering making Windows Phone and Windows RT available free of charge to device makers. Sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans have revealed to The Verge that free future versions are under serious consideration by OS chief Terry Myerson. We’re told that the free versions of Windows RT and Windows Phone would likely be delivered with the Threshold range of updates. Microsoft currently licenses Windows RT and Windows Phone software to device makers, and the majority of its Windows revenue comes from OEMs who build systems based on Windows 8 and Windows RT. We understand that any decision to axe the license fees for Windows Phone and Windows RT would be backed by a push for revenue from Microsoft’s apps and services. Microsoft has been experimenting with ads in Windows 8 apps.
Pentru Microsoft aceasta schimbare de strategie este extrem de importanta si vine ca un raspuns la planurile multor producatori de terminale Windows Phone si Windows RT de a abandona aceste sisteme de operare si de a face trecerea la Android sau chiar Windows 8. Desi deocamdata renuntarea la licentierea sistemelor de operare poate parea o tentativa disperata de a face Windows Phone-ul atractiv, strategia celor de la Microsoft va avea cu siguranta succes, mai ales daca producatori precum Samsung vor gasi din nou motive puternice pentru a acorda o sansa platformei. E greu de spus daca Windows Phone va afecta serios cotele de piata ale iOS si Android in viitorul apropiat, insa cu o strategie de promovare buna, Microsoft ar putea convinge multi producatori sa-i utilizeze platforma.
