Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Nokia Corporation (NOK): Quality Over Quantity

“The phones we have now are the best we’ve ever had and we’d rather take our time and work with developers to create apps that are flagships for our phones. … A lot of the app stores never talk to the developer, the apps just pop up there and the developer hopes it works out,” Nokia’s Biniak said.

After getting off to a rough start after a Nokia Lumia launch getting “botched” in the opinion of many observers, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) are claiming they are making some significant progress in market share in the weeks since the Christmas holiday season.

“We’re very encouraged by the progress so far,” said Bill Cox of the Windows Phone Division at Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). “Our research shows us that three times as many people as a year ago are coming into stores and asking for the Windows Phone and four times as many as a year ago are leaving stores with purchased Windows Phne devices. We’re seeing real progress. We got out of the gate with the Windows Phone 8 in October and the reception has been great. You are seeing beautiful devices from our partners hit the market with great new features for people and they have this connection to the broader Windows ecosystem.”

What do you think about how Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) are handling their foray into the smartphone market? Can these companies become viable in mobile in the long term? We’d like your thoughts in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.

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