Software vendor Microsoft on Wednesday — at Build 2014 developer conference — announced Windows Phone 8.1 OS.
Windows Phone OS is far behind than OS market leader Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS.
IDC in February 2014 noted that Google Android OS has a market share of 78.1 percent in Q4 2013 against Apple iOS 17.6 percent and Microsoft Windows Phone OS 3 percent.
In a major strategy shift, Microsoft also announced that it will offer Windows, including Windows Phone, for free to any computing device that has a screen size of less than 9 inches. Windows will also be free for Internet of Things devices.
Microsoft’s $0 royalty licensing program for OEM and ODM partners will assist the software vendor to add more market share in the OS space which is dominated by Google Android. In 2013, Google Android and iOS accounted for 93.8 percent of all smartphone shipments, posting 6.1-point increase over 2012.
Earlier, IHS estimated that Microsoft will spend an estimated $5.9 billion in 2014 on semiconductors, up from $3.55 billion in 2012 and from $3.78 billion in 2013. The Nokia deal will add about $2 billion to what Microsoft would otherwise spend on semiconductors for 2014.
Purchase of Nokia phone business will result in 10 percent revenue growth in 2014 for the maker of Windows software, now also striving to compete with former archrival Apple in wireless devices like smartphones and tablets.
Microsoft stated that the acquisition will not yield profits until 2016, when net income generated by the deal will offset the costs of acquisition and integration, IHS said.
Microsoft detailed new developer opportunities on the Windows platform with a common platform across devices, a single toolset, a common infrastructure across the Windows and Windows Phone stores, and its commitment to interoperability.
“Our commitment is to make Windows more personal and accessible to individuals, and to ensure a vibrant ecosystem through closer collaboration with our industry partners,” said Terry Myerson, executive vice president, OS Group at Microsoft.
Key features of the Windows 8.1 update include user interface improvements for mouse and keyboard users, the ability to access the taskbar from any screen and pin Windows Store apps to the taskbar alongside desktop apps and favorite websites, and performance and compatibility enhancements to Internet Explorer 11.
Also as a part of the conference, Nokia announced three new Lumia smartphones for Windows Phone 8.1, including the flagship Lumia 930, the affordable Lumia 635 and the first dual-SIM Lumia 630.
