Microsoft Gifting Free Windows Phones to Users That Share Worst Android Malware Horror Stories

Android, as an open source mobile operating system, is considered more prone to malware attacks than closed platforms such as iOS — the iPhone, in particular — or Windows Phone. Microsoft is looking to take advantage of that fact by relaunching a marketing campaign on Twitter, in which users are invited to share their worst Android malware horror stories, using the hashtag #DroidRage, for a chance to win a free Windows Phone.

Microsoft is expanding its reach this year by using its official Windows Phone account on Twitter, which has over 220,000 followers, to promote the marketing campaign. Last year, it ran the campaign using the Twitter account @BenThePCGuy, which only has around 18,000 followers at the time of writing, and generated thousands of tweets in response. This year, that number will presumably be much higher.

The social campaign will certainly involve its fair share of illegitimate entries, as people attempt to win a free Windows Phone by making up an imaginary malware nightmare. But, as The Next Web notes, Microsoft will be pleased just to get the Android malware conversation going, in an attempt to make its flagship Windows Phone 8 smartphones sound more appealing to consumers.

[The Next Web]

Nokia Isn’t Switching to Android — Not Yet, At Least

Last week, it was suggested that Nokia might be planning on switching to Android as its mobile operating system of choice for the smartphone lineup it carries. This claim was based on a job offering that Nokia had posted on its LinkedIn page, in which the company was looking for a software engineer that would focus on “Linux device software and hardware drivers for our exciting new products.”

Android is open-source software based on the Linux kernel, which fueled speculation that Nokia might switch to the platform in the foreseeable future. As reported by Zach Epstein at BGR, however, Nokia spokesman Doug Dawson on Sunday confirmed by tweet that the job listing is tailored towards Nokia’s mapping service in particular. “Our recently posted job is linked to our HERE Maps support for other platforms, including iOS and Android,” Dawson tweeted.

Nokia does have a backup plan in place should its Windows Phone experiment turn sour, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be executing it right now. Due to widespread supply shortages and constraints on popular Windows Phone devices, including Nokia’s own Lumia 920, it has been difficult to gauge just how successful demand has been for devices running Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 software. As the holiday shopping season wraps up, sales figures should become clearer.

[Twitter via BGR]

Skype 3.0 Lands on Android, Focuses on Improved Tablet Experience

Skype today rolled out version 3.0 of its Android app, per Engadget, available now from the Google Play Store. Skype 3.0 offers the same voice and video calling features as it always has, but has been redesigned to provide a better tablet experience. Additionally, the update brings along improved audio quality and a number of general bug fixes. You can now login to Skype with your Microsoft Account, as the Redmond-based company attempts to merge Microsoft and Skype usernames into one unified account. The new tablet design in particular provides more spacious menus and navigation options and larger video calls.

[Google Play via Engadget]

Steve Ballmer: Windows Phone 8 to ‘Ramp Up Quickly’

The mobile space continues to be dominated by Android and iOS, although Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer soon expects Windows Phone 8 to emerge alongside the two platforms. As noted by Android Authority, Ballmer expects sales of Windows Phone 8 devices to “really ramp quickly,” at the same time admitting that the platform is still relatively small.

[quote_right]“There is now an opportunity to create really a strong third participant in the smartphone market.” — Steve Ballmer[/quote_right]

Consumer response to Windows Phone 8 has been overwhelming compared to the debut of Windows Phone 7, partially because Microsoft is spending billions on marketing the new software. At the same time, perhaps consumers are now more receptive to a device that doesn’t have an Apple logo or little green monster on it.

While it is highly unlikely that Windows Phone 8 will ever top Android or iOS, at least in the foreseeable future, it will still be good for consumers if the Microsoft platform can emerge as a true third-place competitor alongside the two-horse race between Apple and Google. Increased competition always leads to further innovation. Do you think Windows Phone 8 will be successful?

[Android Authority]