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Microsoft-Built Smartphone Could Irritate Hardware Partners, Harm Nokia

Posted by samzenpus on from the upsetting-the-balance dept.

Nerval's Lobster writes "Rumors have circulated for weeks that Microsoft intends to release a smartphone of its own design and manufacture, embracing the strategy that drove Apple's iPhone to such enormous success over the past few years. While releasing a branded smartphone offers several potential benefits—look at the revenue and brand recognition Apple's earned as a result of the iPhone—such a strategy also carries significant risks for Microsoft. First, it could alienate smartphone partners such as Nokia, which would find itself competing against a high-end device backed by Microsoft's sizable marketing dollars. (Given the Finnish phone-maker's already perilous situation, that could prove ruinous.) But a branded smartphone could also convince hardware manufacturers that Microsoft really is 'all in' on building its own devices, which could lead to all sorts of drama."

4 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. I can see it now ... by jasnw · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... from the folks who brought you the Zune ... THE ZONE!

    1. Re:I can see it now ... by antek9 · · Score: 4, Funny

      You all too happily forget that Microsoft already had their own line of phones (yah, well, sorta...), the Kin! In order to re-invigorate that great tradition of (iirc) two weeks, the new MS phone should carry that name on to the future. May I suggest the KIN-KON, the DUN-KIN, and last but not least, the pumped up eight core cpu version, the PUMP-KIN (available in one color, and one color only).

      --
      A World in a Grain of Sand / Heaven in a Wild Flower,
      Infinity in the Palm of your Hand / And Eternity in an Hour.
  2. Microsoft would have great economies... by msauve · · Score: 4, Funny

    they wouldn't have to pay for full color RGB displays, since a blue screen would be good enough.

    --
    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
  3. Rectangular, with ... by PPH · · Score: 1, Funny

    ... rounded corners?

    Apple will sue!

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.