Microsoft sold twice as many Windows Phones the week before Christmas versus last year

CES is turning out to be an interesting event for 4K HD TVs, diverse continued technologies and smart cars. Smartphones are mostly relegated to display status, with companies preferring their own off-site venues for announcements. Microsoft though is hither, taking private meetings with vendors and the printing.

Yesterday, we sat down with Greg Sullivan, Director on Windows Phone at Microsoft. The news was positive and while no new announcements were revealed, Microsoft did have some thoughts on the coming company reorganization, acquisition of Nokia in the coming year and the sleeper-hit Lumia 520.

Sales are strong

I of the most interesting facets that we accept had intuitions on is in regards to Windows Telephone sales. Devices like the Lumia 925, 1020, 1520 and the budget focused Lumia 520 have been popping up on TV ads and various sales throughout the holiday season.

Microsoft didn't disclose specific numbers, simply we've heard from internal sources that December was 1 of their busiest months e'er for Windows Phone sales and Sullivan confirmed that they have sold twice as many Windows Phones during the week before Christmas over last year. Those numbers are a solid indication that Windows Phone is catching on, albeit at a steadily increasing clip. Perchance information technology would have been more than revealing if sales with 300% or higher, showing Microsoft's Os condign the 'next big matter', merely the Us market is notoriously competitive. With the new iPhone 5s and Samsung Galaxies sitting on the same shelves, the market is tough. Combine that with Nokia'south diminished brand-name in u.s., and the challenge is substantial.

AT&T, while also not disclosing specific numbers, seems pleased with the Lumia 2520 bundles which tied into Windows Phone purchases. The Lumia 2520, Nokia's first Windows 8 tablet, was a gamble for the company who don't take too much feel with large-screen computers. Merely the option for phone-ownership customers to also get a similarly designed Tablet was manifestly a skillful marketing choice.

The fight against Android and iOS

Microsoft yet sees plenty of opportunity against Android, who essentially command 80% of the smartphone marketplace (mostly due to Samsung). Sullivan comments that "Nosotros took a different arroyo to the user feel" and so far, they experience vindicated, especially with iOS and other operating systems "going flat" and mimicking Windows Phone's stronger points for UI design.

Microsoft certainly is aiming for that depression-stop area where Android nonetheless struggles and Apple is nowhere to be seen. Having a (more) unified ecosystem, with SkyDrive and Skype at the center, is Microsoft'due south reward, according to Sullivan and "2014 portends a whole lot more than of the integrations" with Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox.

"Fundamentals are spot on", the reorganization and updates

Microsoft so far appears pleased with the cadre features of the OS, refining and expanding the feature set up through more than frequent updates. But in that location is all the same much to do. Sullivan generally seems excited about the 'meeting' of Windows Phone and Windows 8 under Terry Myerson, executive Vice President of the Operating Systems grouping at Microsoft.

Myerson's task is to get both teams to showtime working together and to think nigh long term roadmaps. Sullivan notes that this is "going to lead to some exciting things" in 2022. Sullivan thinks this will exist a bigger deal than the Nokia acquisition in terms of impact. That'due south because Nokia and Microsoft had already been working extensively together for the last few years, where the reorganization will open up up new and creative opportunities. That's not to dismiss the significance of the Nokia gambit, as Sullivan is enthusiastic about both Bone and hardware teams finally being able to talk openly near future plans.

Even though Nokia and Microsoft work closely together, they currently don't share all information. Microsoft has its OS secrets as does Nokia. That'due south only how companies operate to preclude leaks to their competitors. With the acquisition deal – expected to be finalized in the come up months – this will all change. Transition teams are already in place and are planning on how to hit the footing running when the deal is completed.

In terms of Windows Phone 8.1, nosotros've heard from our own sources of shared libraries overlapping by upward to seventy% every bit a goal for Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8.one (Update 1). Currently information technology's more than effectually 33% of shared cadre libraries. That increase will allow greater ability for developers to "code once and code for all" when making apps for Microsoft's platform. We've also heard hints of shared Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS stacks, allowing functionality of apps to act the same on those platforms. SkyDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage service, volition also play a more than pregnant role. Sullivan would not ostend this data to us, but the 8.1 (or whatsoever information technology may be called) should be characteristic packed.

It is clear that Sullivan sees Windows Phone OS as fundamentally "spot on". That means any rumors of them scrapping the UI or dramatic changes to the core of how the OS looks and feels are probably just a production of wild imaginations. Nonetheless, the forthcoming – though never best-selling by Microsoft – 8.1 update for Windows Phone should shake some things up for electric current owners.

Speaking of, current Windows Telephone viii devices, including the Lumia 520, are expected to still receive time to come updates, including 'Blue' or Windows Phone eight.ane. That update is expected to exist appear in April during Microsoft'south Build conference in San Francisco.

The Lumia 520 and Lumia halo-issue

The Lumia 520, by about accounts, is one of the most popular Windows Phone to appointment. It doesn't garner the headlines, but it sells. In fact information technology'south i of the elevation ways people are experiencing Windows Phone these days.

How that happened is what Sullivan refers to equally a "halo effect" from devices like the Lumia 1020. Specifically the ad entrada "the Recital" running frequently on TV. That advert boasts a hilarious example of why the Lumia 1020's camera is the best in the room, but information technology's as well the ad that gets people into the doors of AT&T. Microsoft actually saw a fasten in Lumia 520 sales later on those ads ran heavily dorsum in August, 2022.

Sullivan calls this a "proof bespeak of our strategy" for having a spectrum of devices running at diverse price points (vertical hardware, but a horizontal Bone epitome). Microsoft is very proud that the Lumia 520 provides the same core experience as the higher end Lumias, something that Android struggles with these days.

But the Lumia 520'due south success is non without its problems too. In fact, due to information technology becoming a hitting in countries like India, many users are getting angst ridden over the fact that some brand new games (and a handful of apps) can't run on their phones. That'south considering the Lumia 520 only has 512 MB of RAM, which is a limiting factor. Granted, developers can "optimize" for 512 MB, merely that takes times and information technology leads to frustrated users during initial release cycles. When 512 MB devices were the minority, this was less of a business organization. Much has changed though since those days.

Sullivan is confident that this problem volition go abroad equally development companies start prioritizing their apps and games for 512 MB devices "out the gate", targeting the newer, larger demographic of users from the get go. Likewise, newer phones like the Lumia 525 come up with 1 GB of RAM and all the same maintain the lower price point, offering consumers yet another selection.

Xbox Music and updated hubs

We asked Sullivan about the contempo release of the Xbox Music app for Windows Phone 8 devices. Information technology was a seemingly odd move as Windows Phone users already have a Music app on the phone. The reason should be obvious: it allows Microsoft to dynamically update core services by having them removed from the Os directly. That means in forthcoming major OS updates, nosotros'll see Music pulled out and treated every bit an app instead.

Will that happen with other services? Microsoft was coy on the matter only stating "For things that make sense, nosotros'll look to do that". While users may want "everything congenital it", the fact of the matter is it is much easier to update services via app updates than whole Os refreshes. This a lesson that Google has learned with Android, who has pulled more than and more out of the OS and put them into the Play Shop. It's an interesting strategy and it should let Windows Phone to stay more competitive. The question is what, if any, other services volition this utilise to?

Going forward in 2022 and ongoing challenges

If there is one mutual complaint Microsoft and Nokia had in regard to awareness of their production, it's Instagram. Both companies are thrilled to take the service available finally on Windows Phone, simply both companies lament the "lag in perception" by the media and even store clerks about that fact. It's frustrating to hear sales reps nonetheless unaware of the this (and many other) 'win' for Microsoft in tardily 2022. Hopefully that will alter with fourth dimension.

I thing that seems evident to united states of america in our meetings with Microsoft and Nokia is that both companies are very excited about 2022. Windows Phone is finally beingness accepted as the "tertiary way", developers are jumping on board, production awareness is expanding and both the current Microsoft reorganization and Nokia acquisition gives fresh start to those directly involved.

Will it turn into significant market share in the The states? Will Microsoft finally brand pregnant inroads against Android and iOS? The process has started, momentum is present and the unification of the Windows ecosystem could be a juggernaut.

Nosotros may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Larn more.

New ways to test

Minecraft Preview can now be downloaded and played on Windows

On Monday, Mojang Studios appear Minecraft Preview, a new Minecraft game that will permit players examination upcoming changes and updates before they release. Minecraft Preview will eventually replace the electric current Minecraft: Boulder Edition beta program.

Ultimate control

Here are the best steering wheels for Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon v features all-encompassing and improved back up for simulation steering wheels. To become the virtually out of this open-world racing game, consider ane of the all-time racing steering wheels available for Forza Horizon five.