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Microsoft Sitting Pretty After Samsung vs Apple Dispute

Aug 27, 2012 5:57:19 AM

The verdict is in. Samsung has been ordered to pay Apple one billion dollars for infringing upon several of Apples software and design innovations.

Samsung may be forced to stop sales of 17 of its Android phones, thankfully not including their flagship phone the Samsung Galaxy S3 but will effect other versions of the Galaxy line. This is a huge blow to Samsung, who has been riding the Android wave to success in the last few years with it's Galaxy line of smartphones. But as the saying goes, one man's pain is another man's gain.

"Windows Phone is looking gooooood right now."

Bill Cox, marketing director for Microsoft's Windows Phone Division tweeted this after hearing the verdict. Why so?

image of multiple phone devices using Samsung or Apple OS

Windows phone looks nothing like iOS leaving it safe from any patent infringement disputes with Apple. In the lawsuit, Apple claimed that Samsung's design for Android looked far too close to iOS. Apple pointed to Windows Phone as an example of an operating system that looked and operated completely different then iOS.

Smartphone makers are going to be looking towards other operating systems to install on their devices. Most of the infringements were based off of the Android operating system that Samsung was running on their devices. Nearly every smartphone hardware company makes an Android handset. Instead of taking the risk to be sued by Apple, these hardware companies may take a look at other operating systems (A.K.A. Windows Phone) to install on their devices.

Google will have to work around Apple. Google is going to have to re-engineer their operating system to make sure that it doesn't infringe on any of Apples innovations. This takes time. Within this time, consumers may look to get behind the newest version of Windows phone rather than wait for an updated version of Android.

As it stands right now, the amount of handsets being shipped globally with Windows operating system on them is approximately 6% of all phones. Android ships about 68% of all handsets and Apple ships nearly 17% of all handsets. Where the amount of shipped Android handsets will fall, it's likely that we will see Windows Phone filling that void.

Or will it be perfect timing for the new Blackberry phones rise from the darkness? Leave a comment below to let me know your thoughts!

Brian Geary

Written by Brian Geary

Brian is a true believer in the Agile process. He often assists the development process by performing the product owner role. In addition to his technical background, he is an experienced account manager with a background in design and marketing.

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