Microsoft Corp needs to attract more developers to create applications for computers running its Windows 8 operating system to help it increase the new software’s market share and consequently enlarge the Windows 8 ecosystem, a Taipei-based market tracker said last week.
Digitimes Research said in a report issued on Friday that Microsoft’s Surface tablet, which runs the Windows RT operating system and comes with an optional external keyboard, has compelling features that satisfy consumers’ needs for portable devices.
However, Digitimes Research said Microsoft needs to strengthen the new Windows ecosystem and increase the mobile applications available in its Windows Store, so its Surface tablet can be attractive enough to replace tablets running Apple Inc’s iOS or Google Inc’s Android operating system.
RESOURCES
Moreover, Microsoft also has to choose how it is going to allocate its resources on different sectors ranging from hardware, applications and digital content, to cloud computing and advertising services, the researcher said.
On Friday, Microsoft Taiwan general manager Davis Tsai (蔡恩全) said local programmers have already created more than 100 applications for users to download from Windows store, while the number of overall applications available at the Store has exceeded 10,000.
Tsai said he expects to see more developers join Microsoft in creating applications, thereby boosting demand for its services.
However, analysts said most PC vendors remained cautious about Windows RT-powered tablets, given that computers running Google’s and Apple’s platforms have evolved over time and captured the majority of the market.
CONSERVATIVE
Digitimes Research appears conservative in its appraisal as well, saying that the launch of Windows 8 may not be able to boost demand for PCs.
However, the researcher said the Surface tablet could positively impact the development of tablets and may draw more PC brands into designing similar tablets.
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