PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
A quarter of Blackberry users are considering jumping ship to Microsoft following its acquisition of Nokia’s Mobile & Services arm.
The research was conducted by online survey company Usurv, which questioned 1,000 UK adults. The news comes as Blackberry announces plans to cut 4,500 jobs, plus it expects Q2 losses of around £624 million.
Technology industry analyst Jeff Kagan, of Kagan Research, told PCR: “Despite Blackberry’s sinking ship, it will be hard to predict where Blackberry users will go. The problem is that we don’t know what to expect from the deal at this point. Microsoft and Nokia have been working closely together over the last couple of years.
“It’s impossible to say whether Nokia will be a good fit [for Microsoft] or not. We won’t know until years pass.”
Kagan also commented on whether the deal would help Microsoft gain some ground in the smartphone market.
“Google and Apple own 90 per cent of the market. For Microsoft, it all depends on whether they can grow rapidly and start eating into Google and Apple’s lead. The marketplace would really like more choice than Android and iOS.”
Scott Hooton, Chief Commercial Officer of Phones 4u, said the deal “is potentially very positive for the consumer. It will bring more competition and innovation to the market.”
