The initial news was exciting — “was” being the operative word. Chinese phone maker Huawei had announced plans in late February to offer a smartphone with dual operating systems, i.e., both Windows and Android, on the same device, to the U.S. market.
For those who use Windows in business but love Android, a device that gives you a choice of operating systems seemed like a great idea. Android is by far the most popular and widely used phone operating system. But Windows Phone may be more compatible with the rest of your business technology. That assumes you use a Windows operating system on your business laptop or desktop computers.
Huawei’s Chief Marketing Officer Shao Yang originally told Trusted Reviews that his company would release a combination Android/Windows Phone device in the U.S. this spring. Yang said:
“We are definitely using a multi OS strategy. We think the dual OS can be a new choice for the consumer.”
Well, scratch that bright idea. Huawei has now backed off those plans. Huawei subsequently told Fierce Wireless that:
“. . .most of our products are based on Android OS, [and] at this stage there are no plans to launch a dual-OS smartphone in the near future.”
Asus Also Backs Off on Dual OS Plans
Huawei is not the only manufacturer backtracking on dual operating system plans. Asus apparently abandoned plans to introduce a dual operating system laptop and tablet. It originally announced its plans at the highly visible Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. But according to the Wall Street Journal:
“Facing pressure from Google and Microsoft, Taiwanese personal-computer maker Asustek Computer Inc. has indefinitely postponed plans to sell a high-profile device designed to simultaneously run both Android and Windows software, people familiar with the matter said.”
It’s not in the interests of either Google (maker of the Android operating system) or Microsoft (maker of Windows) to get too close together. Each has more control and power by keeping the device operating systems separate. By staying separate, Microsoft protects its prize operating system. Google protects its dominant position in the mobile apps market.
Don’t look for these dual operating system devices to proliferate anytime soon.
In the case of Huawei, it has bigger issues related to the U.S. market. Despite being the third-largest smartphone maker in the world, the brand is not well known in the United States. It has been making a push for a larger U.S. presence. The company recently introduced several new devices, some of which will eventually be available in the U.S.
But the recent cross-allegations of spying — that Huawei was spying on U.S. companies, and that the NSA was spying on Huawei — may throw a monkey wrench into Huawei’s U.S. marketing plans.
Choice Photo via Shutterstock
The post Looking for Android and Windows on One Device? Don’t Hold Your Breath appeared first on Small Business Trends.
Source: Small Business Trends
Looking for Android and Windows on One Device? Don’t Hold Your Breath
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