Microsoft's Ambition in the Consumer Market: The Symbian Challenge

Strategic Insights -

Microsoft's determination to make Windows CE an ubiquitous operating system in the consumer market has led to a series of strategic moves, including the formation of the Symbian consortium with Psion, Nokia, and Motorola. However, Symbian's founders are confident that their Epoc operating system offers a superior alternative to Windows CE, with its robustness, flexibility, and scalability. As the smart devices market continues to emerge, Symbian is well-positioned to compete with Microsoft, but significant challenges remain, including the latter's market power and the uncertainty of the market's growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Symbian, a consortium formed by Psion, Nokia, and Motorola, aims to challenge Microsoft's dominance in the consumer market with its Epoc operating system.
  • Epoc offers a superior alternative to Windows CE, with its robustness, flexibility, and scalability, according to Symbian's CEO, Colly Myers.
  • The Symbian consortium includes Sun Microsystems, arch enemy of Microsoft and owner of Java, adding a potentially powerful combination of Epoc and Java.
  • The first Epoc-powered phones are expected to be launched later this year, featuring attributes such as voice-activated calling and internet browsing.
  • Psion will bring to market hand-held computers with communications abilities, enabling users to send data files over the internet without a phone line.
  • Microsoft's determination to become dominant in the consumer market cannot be underestimated, and its market power makes it a significant threat to Symbian's success.
  • The market for smart devices is unproven, and the falling cost of technology may make them a premium product for a limited time, potentially limiting Symbian's growth.

Statistics:

  • 3Com's PalmPilot, owner of the other successful non-Windows operating system, has been reportedly eyed by Microsoft, highlighting industry rumors and speculation.
  • The first Epoc-powered phones are expected to be launched later this year.
  • Psion will bring to market hand-held computers with communications abilities.
  • The Symbian consortium includes partners such as Sun Microsystems, Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, and Psion.
  • Microsoft has a huge war chest and the ability to eschew conventional business strategies, making it a significant threat to Symbian's success.

Sources:

  • The Financial Times, Copyright Financial Times Limited 1999. All Rights Reserved.

*

(No specific date mentioned in the original text)

*