Microsoft Is Exploring The Idea Of Dual-Booting Windows Phone And Android
Microsoft Corp. is talking to HTC Corp. about adding its Windows operating system to HTC’s Android-based smartphones at little or no cost, people with knowledge of the matter said, evidence of the software maker’s struggle to gain ground in the mobile market.
Terry Myerson, head of Microsoft’s operating systems unit, asked HTC last month to load Windows Phone as a second option on handsets with Google Inc.’s rival software, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Myerson discussed cutting or eliminating the license fee to make the idea more attractive, the people said. The talks are preliminary and no decision has been made, two people said.
This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, but I have no doubt that it is true. Microsoft is just stupid. Dual-booting does not solve the underlying problem that Windows Phone isn’t very compelling for consumers.
If you offer somebody choice between Windows Phone and Android on boot, they are going to (perhaps foolishly) pick Android. Dual-booting doesn’t help Microsoft one bit.
Microsoft have already played their trump card, acquiring Nokia. They need to go all in on it, or they are going to lose. They need to reallocate all of the resources tied up in organising manufacturer relationships and focus on building a first-party product.