Microsoft: Player
LG. In February 2009 Microsoft Corp. signed a multiyear agreement for Windows Mobile to be included on devices from LG Electronics Inc. LG would use Windows Mobile as its “primary platform” for smartphones and produce about 50 models running the software.
What happened? LG made a few Windows Mobile devices but with WinMo uncompetitive, they abandoned the platform and moved to Android losing years of market presence and all their profits.
In light of the new strategic partnership (read: capitulation) between Nokia and Microsoft, Horace Dediu goes down memory lane to revisit Microsoft’s previous strategic mobile partners. Spoiler: everyone loses.