Faced with disappointing sales of mobile devices powered by its Windows RT platform, Microsoft is cutting the licensing fees for the operating system, hoping it will kickstart the beleaguered OS by allowing manufacturers to make less expensive devices.
This week’s Computex computer industry conference in Taipei will see Microsoft making a larger push to grow adoption of Windows RT, Bloomberg reported on Monday. The operating system currently holds less than a percentage point of market share, according to IDC.
The Windows RT form factor of choice looks to be smaller, competing directly with Apple’s iPad mini tablet. RT price cuts will be targeted at that form factor. Microsoft is also looking to grow interest in the platform by improving its email capabilities.
Bloomberg’s sources were able to confirm the licensing fee cuts, however none were able to tell exactly how much manufacturers would be paying Microsoft for their operating system.
While the OS was designed to give Microsoft a place in the mobile device segment, which is currently dominated by Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, so far the marketplace has responded with a resounding “YAWN!”
