Let’s face it – Microsoft needs to seriously make its mobile platform better in order to grow its market share. Currently iOS and Android are leading the way, leaving little room for another player. As European operators have said it: “No one comes into the store and asks for a Windows phone device.” It’s a big problem for the Redmond giant which eventually wants to become a significant player in mobile space.
So I was thinking how can they do that? The “easiest” option is to do some heavy research and acquire companies with cool mobile technologies. They already got Skype, which will most likely come built-in in the next version of Windows Phone.
How about SwiftKey?
Everyone who tried SwiftKey (at least everyone I know) on an Android device refuses to use any other virtual keyboard app. Microsoft could acquire the company and make its technology available on Windows Phones only. Yeah, it’s a scammy strategy for existing Android users, but that’s the way to build value. The default Windows Phone keyboard is good, but SwiftKey is much better. As a matter of fact, I would make a bold statement calling it the best virtual keyboard ever released. That said, the Ballmer, bankers & co should see it as a nice pray. No matter how much it costs to acquire SwiftKey, it’s a good investment as it will make Windows Phone a better platform.
As an Android user I don’t want to see SwiftKey going away, but if I were at Microsoft I would want to have it on my side…
What do you think about this? Is SwiftKey a good acquisition target for Microsoft? Or perhaps Google should buy it?