Bill Gates has long expressed regret over Microsoft’s failure to enter the smartphone market in a timely manner. However, according to Rich Miner, co-founder of Android, this was not a mistake intended by Google or its founders. Instead, their intention was to prevent Microsoft from dominating the mobile sector, as they had done with the PC industry.
Miner claims that he created Android to keep the mobile ecosystem open and prevent companies like Microsoft from stifling innovation. He recently shared his original pitch deck on Twitter, stating that it was “funny” for Gates to complain about losing mobile to Android. Miner’s comments contradict Gates’ views, which suggest that Microsoft’s failure cost the company over $400 billion in market value.
To understand how things might have turned out differently, consider Microsoft’s initial decision not to work with Android and instead focus on developing its own mobile platform. This decision allowed Google, Miner, and other companies like HTC and Orange to shape the mobile industry. As a result, we now see Android as the leading mobile OS, while Windows Phone has struggled to gain significant traction.
In hindsight, it’s clear that Microsoft’s failure to enter the smartphone market had far-reaching consequences. The company eventually sold its stake in Nokia, which is now focused on selling Android smartphones under its own brand. Miner’s revelation highlights an often-overlooked chapter in the history of mobile technology and raises questions about the potential impact if Google or another entity had partnered with Microsoft instead.
Source: https://www.news18.com/tech/android-co-founder-says-bill-gates-was-a-big-reason-for-microsoft-losing-the-smartphone-battle-9190113.html