Microsoft succumbs to Apple envy, buys Danger
13 comments- TAGS:Apple, danger, iPhone, Microsoft
- IT TOPICS:Macintosh & Apple, Mobile & Wireless, Personal Technology, Windows & Microsoft
SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- Microsoft was too busy to read its rejection letter from Yahoo this morning, as it announced its intention to buy Danger Inc., the maker of the popular Sidekick smart phone. The move suggests that the Redmond Giant plans to compete with its partners in the handset business.
Analysts announced this week that the iPhone, all by itself, was used more for Web surfing than all Microsoft's Windows Mobile partners combined. And, of course, no single Windows Mobile-based phone has come anywhere near the unit sales of Apple's iPhone. Microsoft has always intended to dominate the mobile phone operating space like it has done in the PC market.
Microsoft has apparently decided that the partnership route doesn't work, and that the only way to gain market share against the likes of Apple and RIM, et al, is to be more like Apple and make both the hardware and the software.
Also: Any traction Windows Mobile devices have gained have been primarily in the business market, with a smattering of enthusiasts. Danger, on the other hand, attracts young users, especially teenagers.
The data access model on Danger is significantly different from most Windows Mobile smart phones. Danger provides a Web interface to personal data, rather than storing it all exclusively on the device.
In addition to services, applications, the OS and hardware, Danger also supports its Sidekick line with a software development platform.
Microsoft didn't suggest that it would rip out the existing Sidekick OS and install Windows Mobile, but did hint to reporters at the installation of Microsoft applications and the use of Microsoft services on the device.
Danger currently has about 1 million mobile data subscribers.
One Danger co-founder, Andy Rubin, is currently Google's director of mobile platforms.
Danger is privately held and based in Palo Alto, Calif. The terms of the deal were not announced.
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