Archos Could Give You Another Choice in Windows Phone
Archos confirms that a Windows Phone is a possibility.
Archos CEO Loic Poirier confirmed in a short interview that the company plans to enter the Windows Phone race. When that will be is unknown at this point, as Archos indicated that it will wait until the time is right.
Currently, Archos heavily relies on Android as the smartphone OS of choice, including the Platinum, Titanium, Oxygen and Helium series of phones. The company just revealed two phones last month during CES 2014 including the Archos 45 and 50 Helium models (pdf).
Poirier pointed out that the Windows Phone market has matured enough for the company to enter, but Android will remain as the company's primary focus on both the smartphone and tablet front. "Before anything else we are focused on Google," he said.
According to ABI Research, Windows Phone commands 4 percent of the global smartphone market in Q4 2013 and Q3 2013, falling behind Apple's iOS and Google's Android. Windows Phone saw a steady growth of 19 percent sequentially and 104 percent year over year. Nokia accounted for 90 percent of the 10.9 million Windows Phone shipments in Q4 2013.
With Microsoft close to securing Nokia's Devices and Services division, one must wonder what the playing field will be like once the transaction is complete. More specifically, what will it be like for companies like Archos entering the Windows Phone arena? Probably no different than tablet makers having to deal with Microsoft's own Surface tablets.
Like the Archos Helium rage that was just announced, the company will likely sell Windows Phone 8 "budget" devices unlocked and on the cheap side. The company should do quite well overseas in emerging markets, as Windows Phone appears to be in second place in 14 markets around the world, and outselling iPhone devices in 24 markets.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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alextheblue ReplyAll I want is a cheap windows phone 8 device with a keyboard,is that too much to ask?
Physical keys are getting rare, my friend. I broke down and got a touchscreen-only smartphone a few years back, and honestly it is pretty decent for most things. The only thing I really miss is playing old console games and being able to use the slide-out keyboard so my fingers aren't occupying part of the screen all the time. You can always get a BT controller, but you may not want to haul it around with you everywhere. -
lpedraja2002 I don't think Windows Phones support blue tooth controller, at least not when I was using them. I loved my windows phones but there were a lot of common features missing and even when requested by a vast majority in the crappy feedback page Microsoft decided to ignore them. I was left in awe at their slow respobse to feature updates considering they were the ones who needed to prove themselves to stay ahead in the market but nothing. I will give them credit for their extremely optimized OS, fluidity and ease of use.Reply