Improved user experience and the release of even more sophisticated devices for all "balances" are the two "weapons" that will be used by Microsoft, to the "counter-attack" it plans on the smartphone.
While Apple's and Google's share of the 95,7% share in the last quarter of 2013, according to IDC, Microsoft's goal is to end the ghosthood of the two giants.
For this purpose, through the new version of Windows Phone 8.1 from Microsoft, from the beginning of the summer it will offer upgraded functions both to those who already have a device with the Windows Phone 8 operating system, and to those who decide to buy. Especially the latter, in fact, within a few months they will be able to choose between several new smartphones, from all economic categories. In addition, these models will not only come from Nokia, now a subsidiary of the American company, but from 16 other manufacturers.
The launch of Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 will begin gradually from June 24, the date when the official support of the new version by the company begins. Compatible with all existing Windows Phone 8 models, the upgrade was introduced in early April, and its most eye-catching innovation is the "digital assistant" Cortana, which will understand and respond to voice commands based on previous user preferences. Although Cortana will initially be available only in the US and only in English, news agencies such as the Associated Press estimate that, even so, Microsoft's "ecosystem" largely closes the gap that separates it from platforms today. of Apple and Google.
Although officially the "digital assistant" will not reach users' phones in Greece with the upgrade, in reality Windows Phone 8.1 brings many more changes, which make them more "friendly" to use. Among the most important, the Action Center, a menu that will be displayed by swiping from its top screen and will include notifications from apps and social networks, also enabling quick access to key phone functions.
At the same time, the new version will support mobiles with two SIM cards, give more options for customizing the home screen and make it easier to store applications and multimedia files on the microSD card for those models that have a corresponding slot. It will also incorporate an improved keyboard and features that extend its lifespan battery. Finally, it will include a new version of Internet Explorer, new functions in taking photos, and greater flexibility in the use of Wi-Fi networks.
Equally important is that Windows Phone 8.1 will support a wider range of hardware - from high-end displays and high-end processors, to chips with low processing power and small RAMs. Thus, they are paving the way for top-of-the-line smartphones with high speeds and advanced features as well as affordable devices.
This change in strategy has denied analyst estimates, which predicted that after the acquisition of Nokia, the company would exclusively build the next devices with its operating system. Instead, it has come to an agreement with manufacturers to develop Windows Phone 8.1 models, including Samsung, LG, Lenovo, HTC, ZTE and Huawei. Indeed, based on leaks on the Internet, LG already has a model with the new operating system.
However, the first device to come to market with Windows Phone 8.1 preinstalled by Microsoft is Lumia 630 from Nokia.
And other players
Τα Windows Phone της Microsoft δεν είναι η μόνη πλατφόρμα που θέλει να παίξει τον ρόλο ενός τρίτου δημοφιλούς λειτουργικού συστήματος για smartphone, καθώς ανάλογες φιλοδοξίες έχουν και οι δημιουργοί των Firefox OS και Tizen. Τα δύο λειτουργικά βασίζονται στο Linux, το «ανοικτό» και ελεύθερο λογισμικό που χρησιμοποιείται εδώ και χρόνια στους υπολογιστές, και έχουν κάνει τα πρώτα βήματά τους στην αγορά. Ετσι, το Firefox OS του μη κερδοσκοπικού ιδρύματος Mozilla Foundation έχει εμφανισθεί ήδη σε εμπορικά μοντέλα όπως το One Touch Fire της Alcatel, το οποίο έφερε στη χώρα μας η Cosmote. Από την άλλη πλευρά, το Tizen έκανε ντεμπούτο στα «έξυπνα» ρολόγια Gear 2 και Gear Neo της Samsung, αφού η κορεατική εταιρεία είναι από τους βασικούς υποστηρικτές του.
Το Mozilla Foundation κυκλοφόρησε στις αρχές Μαΐου μια νέα έκδοση του λειτουργικού, το Firefox OS 1.3, η οποία εγκαινιάζει την υποστήριξη συσκευών με δύο κάρτες SIM, αυξάνει την speed στο «άνοιγμα» εφαρμογών και βελτιώνει την εστίαση της φωτογραφικής μηχανής. Παράλληλα, το μη κερδοσκοπικό ίδρυμα έχει ανακοινώσει ότι ετοιμάζει ήδη το Firefox OS 2.0, μια ακόμη σημαντικότερη βελτίωση της πλατφόρμας, που αναμένεται να έχει ολοκληρωθεί στα τέλη του καλοκαιριού.
With regard to Tizen, Samsung has not yet revealed its plans, however, according to a recent Wall Street Journal, the Korean company is preparing to release the first compatible "smart" mobile phone in June in Russia and India.
Source: kathimerini.gr
