Microsoft to Turn Windows Phone Into Another Xbox

Microsoft, Nokia, and wireless operator AT&T threw a lot of their respective marketing muscles behind the Lumia 900 Windows Phone smartphone. Despite this, however, the phone, which has received much critical acclaim for its innovative design and refreshingly different mobile OS, posted so-so sales numbers.

It was not a flop. It was not a blockbuster, which Microsoft and Nokia badly need, either.

Nokia's Lumia 900 sold more units than expected; however, it was not big enough to give Windows Phone a significant market presence.

Things are looking bad for the smartphone partners. Things, however, are not desperate.

Things could improve a lot later this year, when Microsoft launches its next mobile OS, Windows Phone 8. And if we're to believe the rumors and leaks, the next-generation Windows Phone OS will come with some serious firepower.

Heavyweight OS

Microsoft-friendly blog, WPCentral, says that Windows Phone 8 will integrate Skype, making the most of the IP telephony services company the software giant acquired recently. Skype for Windows Phone 8 will provide WP smartphone owners with seamless, regular-phone-like services.

Windows 8 will integrate Skype.

Microsoft, however, will never be accused of playing favorites with its in-house voice-over-IP unit. Other VoIP service providers can connect with the Windows Phone 8, like Skype does.

Why WP Will Succeed, Eventually

Remember the Xbox's early days? Back then, Microsoft's foray into the gaming consoles market was every comic's favorite punch line.

And who could blame them? After all, the Xbox was a really funny, comedic idea.

Microsoft's tenacity helped the Xbox succeed in the gaming segment; the software giant is expected to be no less committed to Windows Phone.

Microsoft, however, never gave up, and kept pushing its Xbox gaming platform. Today, the much ridiculed Xbox is at the top of the gaming console heap, and nobody's laughing.

The Xbox's story seems similar to what the Windows Phone OS is currently going through. Microsoft's rebooted smartphone platform, most critics and naysayers find, is just as funny as its gaming console was during its early days.

There are things, however, that I believe will help ensure that Microsoft makes an Xbox of the Windows Phone.

First, all signs point to Microsoft's willingness to spend some serious money in pushing Windows Phone 7.5 and its successor operating systems. The software giant has invested considerable chunks of its war chest to help prop up Nokia's efforts to create and market Windows Phone smartphones.

Microsoft, recognizing how essential a robust collection of apps to a feasible ecosystem, has proved itself ready to spend in order to convince developers to create versions of their applications for Windows Phone. The software giant's efforts seem to be working, with the Marketplace reaching the 100,000-application point by end of May 2012.

Emerging Markets as Last Frontier

Windows Phone might be finding it near impossible to create a significant presence in the world's developed countries where Android and iOS smartphones rule. Microsoft's mobile OS is saddled with laughably tiny market share in the United States, for example.

Nokia's Lumia smartphones, however, have bigger shares of the market in China (7%) and Russia (8.2%).

Indeed, emerging markets appear to be where Windows Phone may be able to compete with market leaders Android and iOS on a more equal footing.