Ballmer expects volumes on Windows Phone 8 to 'ramp quickly'

With the smartphone market currently dominated by the likes of iOS and Android, Microsoft has recently launched the Windows Phone 8 platform in an attempt to pose a threat to their dominance. According to a recent report by Reuters, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer expects a strong response to Windows Phone 8 and its partners. He says this would help the new operating system become a strong player in the smartphone market, and help generate a lot of sales for these new devices.

As per the report, Ballmer, at an event to launch Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system in Israel with reference to Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS platforms said, “With the work we have done with Nokia, HTC, Samsung and others … there is now an opportunity to create really a strong third participant in the smartphone market. We’re still relatively small … I expect the volumes on Windows Phone to really ramp quickly.”

More from News & Analysis

What is the US HIRE Bill and why is India’s $250-billion IT sector worried? Is the internet dead? What's this theory that OpenAI's Sam Altman says might be true?

Steve Ballmer concedes WP 8 is a small player now

Ballmer went on to add that Microsoft will continue to push for more marketing for its new Windows 8 operating system, the Microsoft Surface tablets, as well as the Windows Phone 8 platform. He states that Microsoft would do a lot more marketing than it has done in the past.

Microsoft took the wraps off its Windows Phone 8 operating system just recently, after offering a brief sneak peek in June to showcase some of the new platform enhancements. Windows Phone 8 devices went on sale beginning this November, and Microsoft is betting that a smartphone designed with people in mind can connect with the masses.

“Microsoft is excited for the world to meet the new Windows Phone,” said Terry Myerson, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Windows Phone Division. “We set out to create the most personal smartphone there is, focused on keeping you closer to the people and things that matter most,” he said. “It’s also the best phone for Windows, helping you stay connected across devices. And finally, of course, there’s the hardware. We have a killer lineup of new phones featuring big bright screens, awesome audio capabilities and great cameras from HTC, Nokia and Samsung.”

Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of Windows Phone Program Management, shared at the launch event of Windows Phone 8 that the new OS, with its Start screen and Live Tiles, is highly customisable. Users can pin their favourite people, apps, games, and music to the Start screen and colourful Live Tiles will light up with real-time information and updates.
 
A new feature in Windows Phone 8 is Kid’s Corner, which offers a worry-free way for parents to share their smartphones with their children clamouring to play games on it. A simple swipe activates a protected place on the phone where kids can use apps and features selected by a parent. Family and friends will also enjoy the new Rooms feature, which lets people create a private network to chat and share photos, notes, calendars and other content with a closed group of people, rather than the entire social network.