Earlier this year, the two companies had announced their strategic alliance and had claimed that the partnership would force users to switch over to Windows Phone platform. The claim now seems to be chilling off as Microsoft has been busy of late in printing licenses with Android manufacturers, while Nokia is losing its market share with every passing day. They had promised that their alliance would be different from the rest, but till now the tech world has seen them coming up with a couple of phones like the rest.
Looking at the first two Windows Phone products from Nokia, one might notice that even though the devices are nice, but there is nothing which shouts out loud ‘I am better’. Surprisingly, the devices don’t have a front camera, which was excepted to be in as Microsoft now owns Skype. Skype is famous for its video calling feature and not having a front camera adds to the restriction.
The tech giants have been puzzling others in the tech world, or are in fact puzzled as there is no real stand out feature in their collaborated efforts. This might force people to think that the companies are pouring in millions and billions of money, along with a number of resources and time, for nothing special. The other thoughts people might think off is that the partnership might be on the verge of being ‘just a compromise’ rather than being a competitor.
The companies have created a hype, which has raised the expectation bar. In any case, if billion dollars are being pumped in, it’s not unreasonable to expect something new and improved, or even something radically unique. But it has been disappointing as apart from the Nokia branding, there is nothing special in the devices.
To stay competitive, the alliance might have to note a few important points, such as
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Price; they cant cost it like a Samsung Galaxy S II or an iPhone. It can ruin their possibilities of being competitive
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Features from Nokia; Nokia needs to pump in specialized features so that they click on the uniqueness
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Features from Microsoft; Microsoft might have to add some new exciting features to let the tech world realize that Mango OS is above other standard OS
Being a crowd puller is not an easy task. Changing the likes of Samsung, HTC or iPhone in the smartphone world would not be easy, but if they want the alliance to thrive competition, Nokia and Microsoft target their loyal consumers.
Again, Microsoft has been poor in its marketing department and they should work on it as it can drown the possible chances, whatever it may be.