The executive admitted to borrowing the iPhone for the demonstration, most likely to prevent any sort of outcry from Windows Phone users. Among the apps discussed by Nadella were Sway, Skype, and Outlook. Not surprisingly, Nadella calls Outlook the best email client for iOS, even better than the native email app that comes with Apple’s mobile OS.
Eventually, Nadella is going to have to make a tough choice. Microsoft earns more from its Android patents than what it makes from selling Windows Phone handsets. With Windows 10 Mobile soon to be released, and two new high-end models about to be unveiled on October 6th, this could be Windows Phone’s last stand. Nadella made an intriguing comment at the presentation about writing the apps for iOS being something that Microsoft “aspires to do.”
Nadella seems to understand that Microsoft doesn’t need Windows Phone in order to play a fairly large role in the smartphone industry. And that is why the Windows 10 Mobile rollout, and the demand for the Microsoft Lumia 950 and Microsoft Lumia 950 XL are important for the survival of the platform, but not necessarily as critical to Microsoft as some might believe.
Check out Satya Nadella’s introduction of the ‘iPhone Pro’ at the Salesforce Dreamforce Conference by clicking on the video below.