Microsoft's smartphone business is on life support. A recent research report from Gartner showed Windows' mobile market share fell to just 0.7 percent in the first quarter of 2016, down from 2.5 percent in the same period last year. Total sales plummeted to 2.4 million units. Meanwhile, Microsoft has sold off its feature phone business and written down billions of dollars related to the Nokia mobile products acquisition that was supposed to help it compete with iOS and Android. And yet, it hasn't waved the white flag. In fact, over the past several months, rumors have been flying, saying that Microsoft is developing a new mobile phone called Surface Phone. That smartphone, Microsoft apparently believes, will be the one to save Windows Mobile. But for that to happen, Microsoft will first need to capture customer interest. And the only way to achieve that goal is to deliver a standout smartphone. This slide show covers the kinds of features that a smartphone must offer to have a chance of helping Windows Mobile win back market share.
- eWeek