Since its inception, Windows Phone has been a closed platform. Just like with iOS, you have to buy the hardware if you want the software. Starting with Windows 8.1, Microsoft will be making its mobile OS a bit more open.
At Mobile World Congress, Microsoft announced that Windows 8.1 can be flashed onto Android devices. No more will those interested in Windows Phone have to buy Windows Phone hardware. With this new feature, they can simply convert an existing Android device into a Windows Phone device.
As always, there’s a catch – Windows Phone 8.1 only supports devices with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 200, 400 or 400 LTE SoCs. In other words, you’re not going to be able to flash Windows Phone 8.1 onto flagship Android devices as they are now all using the Snapdragon 800 SoC.
Unfortunately, it looks like Microsoft doesn’t want you to have your cake and eat it too. It confirmed that dual-booting won’t be allowed so those that decide to install Windows Phone 8.1 on their devices are going to be stuck with it. It’s a little unfortunate, but also understandable from Microsoft’s perspective as they hope those who try it out will want to stick with it.
With this news, it’s pretty obvious that Microsoft will be aggressively targeting Android users this year. Not only is it opening the Windows Phone platform to existing Android users, but it’s also trying to bring Android users to Windows Phone through its new Nokia X platform.
Nokia X is a new line of smartphones that run a forked version of Android that strips out all things Google and adds Microsoft and Nokia services. It’s basically a version of Android that looks an awful lot like Android phone and it’s intended for emerging markets.
As Microsoft continues to do well with Windows Phone in emerging markets, Nokia X and Windows Phone 8.1 may just help it steal some thunder away from Android. It probably won’t be much, but it’s growth and that’s all that really matters to Microsoft at this point.
[h/t: PC Mag]
Image via Nokia