Disclosure: Some links on this page are monetized by the Skimlinks, Amazon, Rakuten Advertising, and eBay, affiliate programs. All prices are subject to change, and this article only reflects the prices available at time of publication.
Microsoft hopes to complete a deal to acquire Nokia’s smartphone (and maybe tablet) division by early 2014. While the software maker says it plans to continue licensing Windows Phone software to other companies even after it starts making its own phones, it’s not entirely up to Microsoft.
It might be tough to convince companies to continue licensing Microsoft software just so they can build devices that will compete directly against hardware from Microsoft.
In some ways the Nokia acquisition puts Microsoft in the same position as Google, which acquired Motorola last year. But Google continues to run Motorola as a separate company, while there’s no indication that Microsoft will do so with Nokia’s hardware business.
Here’s a roundup of tech news
- Good luck getting anyone to license Windows Phone or Windows RT now, Microsoft
Microsoft says it plans to continue licensing Windows Phone to other device makers even after acquiring Nokia. But let’s see if anyone bites. [GigaOm] - Acer Aspire R7 update brings pen input, Haswell chips to the laptop with an “Ezel mode”
Acer’s R7 laptop features an unusual design and an Ezel mode that let lets you sort of float the screen above the keyboard. Now you can use a digital pen to write, draw, or paint on that easel. [Engadget] - Is this Samsung’s 12.2 inch tablet?
Word on the street is that Samsung plans to introduce a new tablet with a 12.2 inch, 2560 x 1600 pixel display and an octa-core processor. This might be what it looks like. Maybe. [Move player] - Unannounced Kobo Apollo HD tablet shows up at Bluetooth SIG
Kobo just introduced 3 new tablets as part of the Kobo Arc lineup. But the company may not be finished yet. It looks like there’s another 10 inch model on the way. [TabletGuide.nl] - Pipo intorduces M6pro 9.7 inch tablet
Pipo’s next tablet features a 2048 x 1536 pixel 9.7 inch display and a Rockchip RK3188 ARM Cortex-A9 quad-core processor. [Padhz] - Who’s left in the Android leadership team
Now that Andy Rubin and Hugo Barra have left the Android team, here’s a look at some of the key players in Google’s mobile division and at how they may influence the software moving forward. [The Verge]
You can keep up on the latest news by following Liliputing on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.
@jm2c:disqus , Apple offers a small like of phones (they are all almost exactly the same) because that is their marketing strategy. If they wanted to, they could create as many form factors as they wanted, but that wont necessarily be profitable. And although windows phone has its flaws, it still has its perks and variety is always better. Its like telling ubunto edge, firefox os, tiden, etc. to drop out just because they aren’t a big thing (yet)
I would think that HTC, Samsung and other Windows Phone manufacturers would just drop out now, however there are other factors involved. Microsoft is willing to create ads that feature and promote other manufacturer’s devices. Google doesn’t (as far as I know). Many manufacturers already pay Microsoft fees for using Android. Whether they choose Android or Windows Phone they are paying Microsoft. As we see with Apple a single manufacturer can’t possibly create all the form factors for all people. There should be room for other manufacturers to introduce innovative designs people like over the Lumia line. Other manufacturers make Windows 8 laptops and tablets even if Microsoft does.
On the other hand it’s not like there are any other manufacturers now. The Lumia line already dominated Windows Phone market share. Samsung’s attempt at a Windows Phone is barely an attempt. HTC didn’t try much harder and the main reason the HTC 8X didn’t get totally shut out was because Microsoft named it its “hero” phone and it was used in a lot of promotional materials.
I don’t see there being much difference now. However, now Microsoft is going to be fully responsible for the success or failure of Windows Phone. They’ll have no more excuses to make if Windows Phone fails.
Small android manufactures doesn’t pay royalty to Microsoft. Even bigger doesn’t pay royalty for their local markets (such as Huawei and ZTE doesn’t pay royalty for devices which sold in China).
Second, royalty signifant less than WP license cost ( $8 vs $25 ).
Actually, MS offers tiered pricing… So big companies like Samsung pay a lot less than companies like ZTE, which is where the pricing you’re reporting comes from…
Only ZTE has reported on the fee but estimates on the others suggest it can go as low as $3…
Basically, like the hardware, the more units sold then the lower the pricing… but that’s another reason why smaller companies aren’t interested in making any WP devices as they can’t reach good enough volume to make it worth it…
Limiting 3rd parties now to Samsung, HTC, ZTE, Huawei, and also Sony and Lenovo are getting into it too…