Microsoft To Open Source Windows Phone and Win RT

Microsoft is reportedly planning to open up Windows Phone and Windows RT to device manufacturers in an attempt to sway smartphone and tablet makers into adopting the Windows operating system. According to sources close to Microsoft, the Redmond company’s head of Windows Terry Myerson is considering the option of making both operating systems open source in time with the release of the previously…

Microsoft is reportedly planning to open up Windows Phone and Windows RT to device manufacturers in an attempt to sway smartphone and tablet makers into adopting the Windows operating system.

According to sources close to Microsoft, the Redmond company’s head of Windows Terry Myerson is considering the option of making both operating systems open source in time with the release of the previously reported Threshold update for Windows 8.

If in case Microsoft decides to push for this endeavour, it will definitely change the direction of the company, especially since Microsoft generates revenues for the licenses paid by manufacturers to use the OS into their products. So to compensate for the opportunity cost, Microsoft might employ the same strategy that Google is using – capitalising on services and apps.

This proposed change in strategy will most especially be beneficial to Microsoft once the Nokia acquisition pushes through. This is because Nokia’s acquisition would spell lower licensing revenues for Windows Phone as the Finnish company has control of over 80% of the Windows Phone market.

Now, the Threshold update is still far from its expected time of release so there’s still time for the tech giant to think things through. But whatever it decides, will greatly impact its business, so we’ll be eagerly awaiting Microsoft’s decision.

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