"There's a lot yet to come," Microsoft Windows unit CFO Tami Reller tells Reuters-- the company hopes for a boost in Windows 8 sales after a "solid" start as more W8 devices from Acer and HP should hit the market.
Reller continues "over the next couple of selling seasons we'll have [touch laptops and convertibles] across all form factors and all price ranges."
Microsoft says Windows 8 device sales were not hit by consumer preference to the alternatives (as in iPads or Android devices) or the current negative market outlook. Instead the company blames a limited device volume due to a constrained touchscreen component supply.
Mind, the Surface tablet still has to set the market on fire-- IDC estimates Q4 2012 Surface shipments total just 900000 (compared to 22.9 million iPads in the same period), even if the more business-friendly Surface Pro only launches this week.
Reller also promises more retail-side involvement, saying "we'll work with [retailers] to do better... we are definitely going to do more at retail to make that experience better."
Meanwhile when it comes to mobile Microsoft goes for African low-cost smartphone domination the 4Afrika Windows Phone. The result of a team-up with Huawei, the WP8-powered 4Afrika costs $150 and will be available in Angola, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and S. Africa by end February 2013.
Nokia will also push African adoption of the Lumia 510 and 620 Windows Phones.
Africa is the fastest growing global region for smartphones (with a CAGR of 43% since 2000 according to the GSM Association), and is also one of the strongest markets outside of China for Huawei according to Canalys.
Go Windows Co-Chief Looking for Surge With New Hardware (Reuters)
