Historically, the relationship between Apple and Microsoft has been very one sided. And it’s not in the way you might think of today. From the 1980’s until the introduction of the iPhone in 2007, Microsoft almost completely dominated the consumer electronics industry with its personal computers.
Recently, Microsoft has finally struck a counter-blow worth noticing with the introduction of its Windows Phone 7 (or WP7 for short) phone operating system. This time, it is playing the role of the underdog against the mobile giant that is Apple. And after the utter failure of previous Microsoft mobile operating systems, they finally seem to have gotten it right with WP7.
The Hardware Battle
In terms of concrete specifications on the phones with their respective operating systems, Microsoft and Apple are in a dead heat. Starting with Apple, the latest iPhone represents 5 years of incremental development. It has a 3.5 inch screen with high resolution, comes with either 16 or 32 gigabytes of internal storage. The 32 gigabyte storage option is currently twice as much as the highest-end Windows phone option, which comes in at 16 gigabytes total.
The other key advantage of iPhone hardware is in third-party accessories. Since the iPhone has been so relentlessly popular over the last five years or so, dozens of companies have designed speakers, car docks, and portable charging options specifically for the iPhone. This gap should squeeze a little tighter as the Windows phone attains more market share, but it’s currently a wide disparity.
Windows phones do, however, present some of their own advantages to certain consumers. First and foremost, there are several different actual hardware choices available. Samsung, HTC, and Nokia all manufacture Windows phones, creating a much greater range of products than Apple’s single offering. New smartphone users who just want to check e-mail and visit the occasional webpage, for example, might opt for a lower-cost basic Windows phone as opposed to the more expensive, more powerful iPhone.
Windows Phone 7 OS vs. iOS
When it comes down to software, Microsoft and the iPhone are shooting for the same target in different ways. They’re both trying to create the quintessential intuitive operating system, where even the newest and most technologically impaired users can fully use the respective devices’ capabilities.
The introduction of Apple’s cloud service, application multitasking, and computerized virtual assistant “Siri” are the biggest iOS developments to occur since the first iPhone came out in 2007. Visually, iOS has remained much the same since its introduction. The home screen neatly displays a number of both native and downloaded apps that can be pressed to activate. It’s clean, attractive, and has become the standard for most mobile operating systems since.
The Windows Phone 7 operating system, though Microsoft has spent much less time working on it, is already comparable to iOS. It lacks the virtual assistant feature, but already has multitasking and an intuitive home. Perhaps the greatest differentiator Microsoft’s mobile operating system has is its look. Instead of displaying application icons on the home screen, WP7 has “live tiles”, which serve as hubs for different types of applications, whether they be phone communications, social networking, gaming, news, or whatever else is available on the Windows app market. They automatically update so that the home screen displays the latest stories, messages, e-mails, weather updates, or just about anything else within the tiles. This visual facet is both unique and beautiful, helping to win over many mobile device buyers to the Windows side.
The last significant software aspect of this Microsoft vs. iPhone battle is their application stores. The Apple “App Store” currently has over half a million applications available to users, while Microsoft’s has just about 20,000. Most of the major popular apps are represented in each, but Apple has a clear advantage in this category.
Beyond the Specs and Software
Perhaps the most important advantage that the iPhone retains over its Microsoft competitors is brand recognition and loyalty. Apple produced one of the first immensely popular smartphones on the market, and has garnered millions of truly dedicated customers because of it. Though Windows 7 phone’s market share is growing, it still has no response for the massive buzz and fanfare that iPhones have.
Unfortunately for Microsoft, the only thing that can really help to break Apple’s brand loyalty and give the Windows phone a foothold is time. Smartphones have become a sort of self-extension device for millions of people, so they will undoubtedly be slow to switch. But as it keeps up its fast pace of improvement in both hardware specifications and software features, the Windows phone could ultimately emerge as a legitimate rival to the iPhone in the smartphone market.
Cindy W. is a freelance writer and tech blogger. She lives in California with her husband and two children.
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Can Microsoft Catch the Iphone?,
Gab
Jan 23. 2012
I think Apple has already made a huge impact in every people’s perspective. But Microsoft can still, of course, catch up. Jobs is gone and it would be a great opportunity for Apple’s rivals to steal the lime light from them.
TechCrates
Jan 27. 2012
To see the competition between these two giants, I would recommend the book “Idea Man” by Paul Allen. It is a personal memoir from Allen that chronicles Microsoft’s success but also includes his thoughts about the current prospects of his own company and their chances to retain their former dominance over Apple.
Rebecca
Jan 23. 2012
Apple is having very well engineered code base which is refreshed frequently. Microsoft has a mess which they carry forward year after year.
Elan
Jan 23. 2012
In future it might be or might not be because technology is changing day by day.
Andy
Jan 23. 2012
When it comes to Iphone then No one can beat Apple. Apple is the best in this particular area.
Robin
Jan 23. 2012
I’m not sure Microsoft will be able to improve on the IPhone, but it’s certainly possible.
It will take something special to make me switch though.
Vernette
Jan 24. 2012
It’s really hard to tell. Microsoft and Iphone are very different in ways yet they are big companies that is really making it big today.
Shine
Jan 24. 2012
Microsoft is more affordable than Apple.
Tracyann0312
Jan 24. 2012
I Still believe that Microsoft will improve their software. Although Apple make huge impact in our society. But,don’t end up in conclusion because the fight’s ongoing!
liz
Jan 24. 2012
I think that it will always be an ongoig battle between these two titans. Personally, I like windows better.
Gary
Jan 25. 2012
Cant see it happening. Apple have a huge market share and massive money behind them. Microsoft are a bit late to the table but you never know – they may pull something off… Won’t hold my breath though…
Nishadha
Jan 25. 2012
More than anything else it’s the brand recognition that drives the iPhone. Also it has an almost religious like following so any activity they do seems to go viral and take off dramatically.
Kutlan
Jan 25. 2012
I don’t think Microsoft stands any chance against Apple. They would have to come up with something REALLY new, which was the thing only Steve Jobs would do.
karan
Jan 25. 2012
Apple stands for quality. Although they would charge you a premium for their products but they provide quality products. I have used iPod and iPhone and never had any complaint with it. Microsoft on the other hands provides useless products. So I don’t think microsoft could ever be where apple is right now.
Also Apple has nothing to worry about microsoft. Their main competitor is android..
Chris
Jan 26. 2012
I don’t think that Microsoft has a chance to catch Apple. They just aren’t doing enough things right at the moment, and have to split the Non-Apple Lime Light with Android, which takes up most of the attention.
TechCrates
Jan 26. 2012
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Chris…
PA
Jan 26. 2012
I really can see Microsoft putting up a good fight for dominance but Apple is always releasing new genius ideas so i really cant see it happening anytime soon, but then again, who knows!
Jacko
Jan 27. 2012
No.
Microsoft is simply a technology marketer they don’t make anything cool and they force even their most loyal customers through crap like vista
Peter
Jan 27. 2012
Enter the word APPLE in Google search and chances are you’ll not getting the fruit that fell on Isaac Newton’s head 🙂 Thanks to Steve Jobs, the word APPLE is now refering to trendy and cool gadgets and not the fruit. APPLE is so popular. There could be battle, but Apple is hard to beat… at least for now.
aatif
Jan 29. 2012
When you talk about mobile devices microsoft have to work really really hard to cathcup Apple . But But for PC windows is ahead of Apple in my opinion
TechCrates
Jan 29. 2012
Yeah .. Not everyone can afford a Macbook !!
Hanna
Jan 30. 2012
I can’t say. These two giants are battling for eternity. They’re both strong. Who can say?
Joey
Feb 05. 2012
The both company have a different style. It is like a war for the trade mark and preferences 😉
Carla
Feb 14. 2012
Apple is popular brand same with windows but i much prefer windows.
Marissa
Feb 20. 2012
I haven’t tried using Apple yet, only Windows so I don’t really know which one is better.
Mike
Feb 21. 2012
I have a WP7 and my main complaint would be the lack of any decent apps in comparison with the rich diversity that can be found on Apples App store. Really Microsoft need to be enticing developers in some way if they really want to compete with the iPhone.
Sarah
Feb 23. 2012
Microsoft is easy and affordable but Apple products have greater impact
Andrea
Feb 27. 2012
Apple products is much expensive than buying microsoft.
Andee
Feb 28. 2012
Apple, according to market cap, the most valuable tech company in the world.
Andrei
Mar 01. 2012
The way you covered those necessary information is pretty impressive.
Ann
Mar 30. 2012
Microsoft might not catch up but it doesn’t mean they’re not good. Microsoft is a great product.
Lee
Apr 01. 2012
Big dilemma will Microsoft catch apple. Of course they will. The fortunes of the big players is always yo yoking back and forth. Look at apple 10 years ago nearly bankrupt and look at them now. I think windows 8 will make a big step forward for Microsoft helping them greatly with the touch screen market . Which is where they have got a little left behind.
Time will tell .
Aaron
Apr 08. 2012
Well, I don’t think that Microsoft can catch Apple now. These days users are very keen to operate Apple operating system. It doesn’t surprises me that many companies launched Windows platform based smart phones but failed to get any recognition from users.
It shows that Apple has completely outranked Apple in terms of competition and performance.
These are my personal views.
Thanks!
SynerGizmo
Jun 07. 2012
Having just got the Lumia 900, and also owning an iPhone 4, i truly believe that if Microsoft plays its cards right, leaving the iPhone in the dust won’t be a problem. Yeah, Windows Phones are in their infancy, but give them some time, and they will be a threat to Apple and Google.
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Aug 11. 2022
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