Microsoft Makin’ It Rain For Potential Windows Phone Partners

News Paul Briden 12:23, 16 Jan 2014

Microsoft is funnelling cash to partner manufacturers, but not as much as previously thought

A number of stories have emerged recently suggesting Microsoft may be slipping device manufactures a few bills to help promote a boost in Windows Phone handsets, with Sony and Samsung both being pointed to as receivers of a cash injection.

In response to the back-and-forth on Twitter, Microsoft communications exec Frank X Shaw took to the social network to clarify these activities. Shaw specifically confirmed that the company engages in “co-marketing” with partners, although didn’t elaborate on precisely what this means.

reality check. Do we do co-marketing with partners? You bet! But these numbers are complete fiction! http://bit.ly/LiIunP

— Frank X. Shaw (@fxshaw) January 16, 2014

He did add that the figures quoted by Twitter personality Eldar Murtazin, which included an alleged $1.2 billion for Samsung, half a billion for Sony, around the same for Huawei and $0.3 billion for “others”, were “complete fiction”, and did not comment on the manufacturers mentioned.

Murtazin alleged that these sums of cash exchanged would fund the development of one Windows Phone smartphone from each manufacturer for 2014.

Murtazin, has since responded to Shaw’s statement, reiterating his belief that the money is not for marketing but instead for research and development of a device per manufacturer.

It’s a curious situation. Microsoft was widely known to be subsidising Nokia’s Windows Phone push before it acquired the manufacturer in 2013.

While Microsoft’s own advertising has often promoted OEM devices, the idea of it specifically funnelling cash into partner marketing campaigns isn’t exactly new.

But the suggestion of it funding R&D at anyone other than Nokia seems to have ruffled a few feathers, although Shaw seems to be pretty much denying this latter allegation.

Either way, is it actually a big deal? We’re inclined to think not. Indeed, how else could Microsoft promote its platform to phone-makers considering the tepid reaction so far? “Build it and they will come,” clearly, isn’t working.

Via: btekt and unwired view