Apparently Google isn’t the only company benefiting from Android’s global dominance as it seems that Microsoft is also benefiting from Android’s rise (at least from one manufacture).
Microsoft (who has made it a quest to sue Android manufactures over patent claims) is ironically making more money off of Android than their own mobile OS.
A rough estimate of the number of HTC Android devices shipped is 30 million. If HTC paid $5 per unit to Microsoft, that adds up to $150 million Android revenues for Microsoft.
Microsoft has admitted selling 2 million Windows Phone licenses (though not devices.) Estimating that the license fee is $15/WP phone, that makes Windows Phone revenues to date $30 million. (Asymco)
Microsoft’s strategy of suing their competition is apparently paying off, as Windows Phone 7 sales have yet to witness blockbuster sales seen by iPhone and Android devices.
Currently other manufactures like Motorola have refused to pay Microsoft one cent and are ironically counter suing the software giant over patents they feel Windows Phone 7 (as well as a slew of other products) violate.
Google surprisingly hasn’t come to the aid of their mobile friends, despite the fact that lawsuits like these could hurt Android adoption by manufactures in the long run.
(Image via GreatEreader)
Originally posted on May 27, 2011 @ 2:30 pm