Microsoft To Beef Up Mobile OS, Limit Number of Phones Licensed

In response to the fierce competition in the wireless phone market, Microsoft announces plans to improve its mobile operating system and, more surprisingly, put it on fewer devices. Microsoft is limiting the number of phones with the Windows Mobile operating system so that they can keep greater control over device compatibility and keep their competitive edge.

Todd Peters, the vice president of marketing for the Windows Mobile division, said, “I’d rather have fewer devices and be more focused,” so that “we [can] get better integration”. Part of the allure of Windows Mobile is their vast selection of phones, so I wonder if limiting the selection will actually hurt sales.

That tactic has worked for Blackberry so far - maybe Microsoft can get a boost reducing device selection.

The New York Times

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