Sales Up 23%, Losses 36% Lower For MS Mobile Division Unit

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://news.com.com/2100-1001-983083.html?tag=fd_top">http://news.com.com/2100-1001-983083.html?tag=fd_top</a><br /><br />The Mobile Devices division in Microsoft, which is responsibile for Pocket PCs and Smartphones is moving ever so slowly towards profitibility, but they still have a long way to go.<br /><br />"The smallest segment in the quarter was CE/Mobility, including the Pocket PC operating system. Revenue was $21 million and the unit had an operating loss of $39 million. Both were improved over the year-earlier period when the unit turned in revenue of $17 million and a loss of $61 million."<br /><br />This also compares well to <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4906">last quarter's numbers</a> where it had sales of $17M and losses of $33M.

[TawnerX]

Well if Microsoft has $40B cash to blow and this unit keeps loosing $40M/quarter. It will take Microsoft.....ehrr... 250years to go bankrupt.

just another useless information brought to you by idle calculator.

[johncj]

Well if Microsoft has $40B cash to blow and this unit keeps loosing $40M/quarter. It will take Microsoft.....ehrr... 250years to go bankrupt.

just another useless information brought to you by idle calculator.

Uh, no. They made $455 million in interest income last quarter. So, I don't think this division is going to bankrupt them ever.

[scottmag]

This also compares well to last quarter's numbers where it had sales of $17M and losses of $33M.

Something's missing here.

Where's the EdH in-depth analysis and comparison to Palm? This thread is a ripoff.

:?

Scott

[TawnerX]

Uh, no. They made $455 million in interest income last quarter. So, I don't think this division is going to bankrupt them ever.

Yikes you are right, this hypotethical situation is perpetual!

[Ed Hansberry]

Where's the EdH in-depth analysis and comparison to Palm? This thread is a ripoff.
1. super busy
2. has Palm even reported? I thought their financial quarter ended Feb 28.

[jpaq]

Palm(source)- Loosing money
Microsoft - Loosing money

What am I missing here?
I am not trying to draw a comparison of quality, value, or functionality. I'm just curious about the business model.

:?:

[johncj]

Palm(source)- Loosing money
Microsoft - Loosing money

What am I missing here?
I am not trying to draw a comparison of quality, value, or functionality. I'm just curious about the business model.

:?:

The difference is PalmSource is losing money on its only business line. Microsoft is able to lose money on the Mobility division (essentially forever) as a strategy to cover its bets just in case devices ever do replace PCs.

[heov]

http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=4906

that's only a market share report, but i'm surprised no one here posted about that... you guys usually do i think.

Anyway, where are the PPC numbers for market share? Seems like the PalmOS (PalmSource) is doing alright...

btw, does this mean that ms is going to care less about ppc or are they going to work hard to get sales up... and this is just for ms right? not the device manufactures...

off topic...
btw, while we're talking about palm, i thought i'd mention the new brighthand review of the brixk NZ90 sony 800 dollar clie w/ 2mp camera...
http://www.brighthand.com/article/Sony_NZ90_Review ... sorry, to lazy to submit the news ;) man... that video out feature seems pretty cool!

[Ed Hansberry]

http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=4906

that's only a market share report, but i'm surprised no one here posted about that... you guys usually do i think.
Why do people assume we haven't posted something? :wink:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7942

[heov]

whoa :D I totally missed that one! it was probably one of those days where there were a lot of new posts and by the time i checked it it was off the front page... oh well. too bad i missed out on the discussion ;)

[Jonathan1]

ZDNET had an interesting article:
Microsoft Office pays bills for Xbox
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-983083.html


Granted it’s relating to the XBOX but it still applies. The bread and butter for MS is Office and Windows. While they continue to make money on these items while still having a cash reserve of $40+/- Billion in the bank they aren't going anywhere. Whether or not that 40 billion will ever shrink depends on how much they throw at Linux in the long run and if they ever shell out those dividends. Actually the only thing that could kill the PPC at this point is Microsoft getting bored with the platform and moving on. Windows XP embedded anyone? Remember this is the MOBILE group. That doesn't mean they couldn't shift their focus on other mobile devices. Just a thought.