Microsoft's Mobile Strategy a Mess?

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/paul-thurrotts-wininfo/Microsoft-s-Mobile-Strategy-Isn-t-A-Strategy-It-s-A-Mess.aspx' target='_blank'>http://www.windowsitpro.com/article...t-s-A-Mess.aspx</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"The impetus for this question was the announcement late last week that Microsoftwould soon deliver something called Windows Embedded Handheld, yet another mobile software platform and brand built on the same underpinnings as the obsolete Windows Mobile 6.5 and aimed at the nebulous market for "enterprise handheld devices." And there will be a second version of this down the road based on the Embedded 7 series mobile core."</em></p><p>Paul Thurrott makes the case that Microsoft's strategy isn't a one-size-fits-all but a massive-octopus-arm-attempting-to-reach-each-niche, and that the latter isn't sound. The latter does though mean that some of the issues we've seen in the past with iPhones and Androids not playing nicely in certain environments (e.g., the enterprise) would be avoided by this strategy. Now if only all of those niche operating systems were ready to go anytime soon.</p>

[soho_1]

Issues in the Enterprise?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703900004575324973251396764.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTWhatsNews

From the Wall Street Journal:


But while BlackBerrys are still the most popular corporate device, with 70% of IT departments currently supporting the gadget, about 29% of businesses now support the iPhone, up from 17% last year and none in 2007 when the iPhone first launched, according to Forrester Research.


Apple said in January that 70% of Fortune 100 companies were testing or deploying iPhones.

[moriahcom]

I for one as an enterprise mobile developer welcome this. There were going to be a lot of us devs that would be in trouble. Right now isn't the best time to pour money into updating all our mobile apps when the returns may be limited. Our apps are packaged with software and hardware mostly in the heavy construction and service industries.. My enterprise clients usually just needs a device with our software, email, and a few other apps. They don't want their employees spending time on social networks while on the job.