One of Microsoft's top Windows executives this week said the company remains bullish about Windows RT and has no intention of dumping the limited-feature, touch-enabled tablet operating system.
Analysts accepted that at face value, but they remain suspicious of Windows RT's chances unless Microsoft makes dramatic changes, including dropping the price of the licenses it sells to OEMs.
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Milanesi declined to bet that Microsoft would slash Windows RT license prices -- or make the even more aggressive move of giving away the OS -- but said Microsoft has to do something to cut OEM costs.
"Unless [Windows tablets] can match the $199 price of Android tablets, it's going to be really hard for [Microsoft and its OEMs]," said Milanesi. Tablet pricing is polarized, she added, with Android at the bargain basement end and iOS at the top. That gives Microsoft a tough choice and less maneuvering room than it would have had had it entered the tablet market a year or year-and-a-half earlier. "From an app perspective, Microsoft can't get a premium for Windows RT," she added, referring to the relatively small size of the Windows Store and the lack of what she, and others, see as must-have, high-quality apps.
Analysts challenge Microsoft's commitment to Windows RT | Microsoft Windows - InfoWorld