Robert Scoble: Microsoft Should Give Up Windows Phone, Go Android

July 30, 2014
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evangelist for Windows before leaving Redmond in 2006 to focus on other projects. Currently he is the Startup Liaison Officer at Rackspace, after joining the company in 2009. Scoble, obviously, keeps in touch with the technology world in general, and Microsoft in particular. And in an explosive new interview, he shared his advice on Windows Phone:

“That train has sailed. The real answer is: give up Windows Phone, go Android, and embrace and extend like you did with the internet. But they don’t listen to me.”
No wonder! Windows Phone may be slow to build up momentum, and there may be a million reasons for it, but the mobile platform is growing. Slowly, yet steadily. Android may soon have an 80% share, but it does not take long for the market to shift. And besides, Microsoft is only just getting serious about the enterprise side of things. The rest of his interview is about the company culture at Redmond, how it is a big company, and how that affects decision making. Scoble also talks about the lack of apps for the Windows Phone platform, and how to increase developer interest. It is a good read, this interview, so give it a scan, and then leave your thoughts below.]]>

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Microsoft

Mike Johnson is a writer for The Redmond Cloud - the most comprehensive source of news and information about Microsoft Azure and the Microsoft Cloud. He enjoys writing about Azure Security, IOT and the Blockchain.

All Comments

  • Robert Scoble should give up being trying to be relevant. How many Android makers are truly making a profit these days, besides a Samsung and a few others? Do you think Microsoft wants to be an “also-ran” of this group too?
    Sorry, but I find his arguments weak.

    Rodney Longoria July 30, 2014 2:16 pm Reply
    • Let me rephrase you:
      How many Android makers are truly making a profit these days, besides Samsung?

      Yannick July 30, 2014 3:14 pm Reply
      • Bingo Yannick. Windows Phone is obviously struggling, but Scoble is so off base here it’s not even funny. This seems like the furthest thing from a realistic option.

        AustinPowers July 30, 2014 6:41 pm Reply
      • Only Samsung. HTC, LG, etc are all bleeding money.

        Black Eagle July 30, 2014 9:21 pm Reply
      • Yannick. I had originally posted only Samsung but then I edited that the way I did to be fair, just in case I might be wrong or misinformed. After all, I do not follow what the others do, per se (as I don’t really care what they do). LOL!

        Rodney Longoria July 31, 2014 6:10 pm Reply
  • Does he mean they should make hardware for andorid? That seems like stupid advice to me. If they give up Windows Phone, they should just leave the market.

    Jason Claven July 30, 2014 2:41 pm Reply
  • This guy needs to by slapped with a taser stick

    Ray C July 30, 2014 6:49 pm Reply
  • Does any body listen to this guy except him?

    1stkorean July 30, 2014 7:31 pm Reply
  • Funny considering windows phone in growing in sales and market share. Now with more hardware vendors on board and more open specs, this will only increase. Sure, everyone going android is the answer! Bull****

    Black Eagle July 30, 2014 9:20 pm Reply
  • His opinions regarding Microsoft are eight years out of date, and without a King of The Internet crown, his opinions are no more valid or worthy than the rest of us. Move along.

    Misterbear Fapp July 30, 2014 11:57 pm Reply
  • There are a lot of relevant happenings in the world today, why pick this trash to write about? and its in the headline spot?

    Mike Greenway July 31, 2014 9:49 am Reply
    • Click bait, perhaps? LOL!

      Rodney Longoria July 31, 2014 6:12 pm Reply
      • I feel used 😉 Manipulation never sets well, especially when you can see complete through it.

        Mike Greenway August 1, 2014 7:57 am Reply
  • Scoble is a joke. He should just record his voice and play it back to himself on a loop 24/7 (he probably does). Even Leo Laporte doesn’t talk to his shmuck anymore.
    Lack of apps…lol There may be a hand full of apps people use that Windows Phone doesn’t have (most of them Google apps). Over 80% of the apps in any app store are either not used, not updated or very low rated. If Google and apple took the apps out of the store that people don’t download they’d probably be to the same amount as Windows Phone is now. Then again if Microsoft did the same they’d have less apps too. The point is Microsoft needs to get a few apps that people use and some of these apps are for stores and restaurants (like a Starbucks app) so when you walk into one of these places you can see the “Microsoft Marketplace” sticker by the register.
    I wouldn’t listen to anything Scoble says, he might as well be a Google shill.

    Robert Kegel July 31, 2014 12:59 pm Reply
  • I do not think Microsoft has a choice, they have to have a Phone OS. For me it’s between Google, with Android, Microsoft with Windows Phone and Apple with iOS. If I were a hardware manufacture without my own dedicated OS I’d be nervous. The future is being able to sync, connects seamlessly between your TV, laptop, phone watch, home and car. I’m going to stick my neck out here and say I wonder how many hardware manufactures for PC’s will be left in the future, HP sees it needs to build it’s own OS but I think this will fail based on their historic lack of commitment to similar strategies.

    Coatsey August 2, 2014 2:55 am Reply
  • I also feel used. Manipulation works well on me though 😉

    wishful66 August 10, 2014 5:53 pm Reply
    • Sucks both ways, doesn’t it… 😉

      Rodney Longoria August 16, 2014 12:17 pm Reply
      • Nope not Stephanie here Rodney.
        Question for you though. How long have you been posting on Discus? Just curious..

        Wish Full September 5, 2014 2:30 am Reply

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