I think it matters to them because they want to keep control over what is theirs. They don't want their phones to depend on Google's updates when they're living under the impression that they're at the same level.
Well, they could always build their own hardware, but just use the Android base OS. That way they have control over the actual phone and the physical experience with the device and can concentrate on the applications that provide real value to the users. Anyhow, I think the recent moves of MS point in that direction. My bet is they will continue to sell non-core stuff that is not related to software (see the sale of Bing maps technology to Uber) and will focus on software again. MS was never a real hardware company like Apple, and even Google sees hardware as a side-product of building software like Android.
I'm still wondering that MS is investing in the Xbox, but that's more of a new market - you know, getting into the living room of customers. The race into the pockets of customers is already won by Apple and Google/Android.
Btw, I'm a linux guy myself. I'm using Windows for Games, but only if I really want to play a game that is not yet released for Linux - that still happens, but it gets better. :-)
I think it matters to them because they want to keep control over what is theirs. They don't want their phones to depend on Google's updates when they're living under the impression that they're at the same level.
This is an article I could find on their plans regarding Android and iOS apps.
Well, they could always build their own hardware, but just use the Android base OS. That way they have control over the actual phone and the physical experience with the device and can concentrate on the applications that provide real value to the users. Anyhow, I think the recent moves of MS point in that direction. My bet is they will continue to sell non-core stuff that is not related to software (see the sale of Bing maps technology to Uber) and will focus on software again. MS was never a real hardware company like Apple, and even Google sees hardware as a side-product of building software like Android.
I'm still wondering that MS is investing in the Xbox, but that's more of a new market - you know, getting into the living room of customers. The race into the pockets of customers is already won by Apple and Google/Android.
Btw, I'm a linux guy myself. I'm using Windows for Games, but only if I really want to play a game that is not yet released for Linux - that still happens, but it gets better. :-)