Micromax partnered with Microsoft

Well, both the ‘Micro’s are gonna make ‘Macro’ changes in the Indian gadget market. At the Microsoft's BUILD conference in San Francisco, Terry Myerson(Microsoft Executive VP), has officially announced their new partnerships with 11 new partners including India's homegrown handset maker Micromax to offer Windows 8.1-powered devices. The deal  is expected to intensify competition in the smartphone and tablets market especially in India.

Micromax is considered one of the leaders in Indian market for smart devices, standing second to the giant, Samsung. Micromax's revenues were Rs 3,168 crore for the financial year 2012-13 and it expects to clock revenues of $1 billion for the last fiscal ended March 2014,helding about 16 per cent market share in 2013. Some its top selling models were the entry level smartphones like A35 Bolt and A67, IDC data showed.

Besides, Microsoft has also announced that they will offer Windows OS free to smartphone and tablet makers which will help them to compete firmly with Google's Android and Apple's iOS in the fiercely competitive market. This offering also enables hardware partners to provide their customers a one-year subscription to Office 365.

Indian Customers can expect entry level Windows 8.1 powered smartphones from Micromax at a cost less than that of Lumia520.Well it will be a tough competition for the  Finnish phone maker Nokia, As the companys Windows phone range starts from 8000-8500 INR. Micromax is expected to launch their devices later this year. The phones will be having dual-sim functionality for sure, where as Nokia has launched their first windows 8.1 powered dual-sim phone Lumia 630 at Rs.10000 INR along with Lumia 630(single sim),635 and 930,all powered by WP8.1. Microsoft is also planning for Universal apps which will work with all four platform variants from Microsoft including Xbox One and 'WINDOWS IN THE CAR' similar to Apple Car Play. Some other announcements at BUILD conference are featured here.