Is Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Windows RT on its Death Bed?

The fact that the Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows RT operating system is underperforming is no surprise at this point. While there is still time to turn things around, many believe that it is too late. Many believe that the system is going to suffer the same fate as many before it, such as Hewlett-Packard’s (HP) webOS.

Digitimes recently dug into the finer details of this story, showing that Microsoft mobile operating system could be on its last legs. This is bad news for the company, as it continues to struggle for market share in the tablet market.

Here is a brief excerpt from the piece:

“Microsoft’s Windows RT operating system may fall to the same fate as Hewlett-Packard’s (HP) webOS as most brand vendors have already stopped developing related products, leaving Microsoft’s second-generation Surface RT, the only Windows RT-based device in the next-generation tablet competition, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.”

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)As you can see, with brand vendors moving in another direction, the Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows RT operating system is left to stand on its own. Unless the Surface RT is able to pick up the slack and get on the right track, the death of this operating system could be coming down the pipe sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, it appears that the tablet market is just the beginning of the trouble Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is facing. The company is dealing with the same struggles in the smartphone industry, struggling to chase down the competition.

The same article goes on to outline why Microsoft will be hard pressed to gain ground in the smartphone segment:

“As for the smartphone segment, players such as Acer, Asustek Computer and ZTE, have also recently started postponing development of Windows Phone 8-based products, making Microsoft face difficulties gaining momentum in the mobile device market, the sources added.”

With so many companies moving away from their partnerships with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), the future is dim and the Windows RT operating system could be on its way out the door.

In the months to come, we will be keeping a close eye on this story to see if Microsoft is able to turn things around and make some progress in the tablet and smartphone markets.

Don’t rule out Windows RT just yet, but definitely watch out to see how things progress in the second half of 2013.

What are your feelings on the Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows RT operating system? Do you think it is going to be phased out soon enough? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.