The very first Windows Phone handset sold (above) was sold in New Zealand on the 21st October 2011. It seems it has taken that long for the OS to finally start gaining traction on the island nation.
Speaking at TechEd 2013 Microsoft New Zealand General Manager Paul Muckleston revealed some internal market share data for the country.
"Windows Phone for our previous financial year ending June 2012 was 2 percent of the market," Muckleston said. "For the full 12 months ending June 30 this year, it was 4.5 percent. In the quarter that ended June 30, it was 8.5 percent, in July it was 15 percent, in the last 12 months we have got another 9 percent share."
He put the growth down mainly to Nokia’s colourful Lumia handsets.
"Windows Phone is tracking at around 10 per cent share and with new product releases coming from Nokia we should get to a consistent 15 per cent by the end of the year."
Muckleston said he expected the improved market share to pay dividends in terms of the production of local apps, of which there are less than 1000 in New Zealand.
"When we look at other markets that have got more over 10 per cent, a couple of things have happened. We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of local apps and some of these markets get Windows Phone and Microsoft Surface together and you get a deal and a really uncluttered experience."
New Zealand-based Enlighten Designs chief executive Damon Kelly said the increased market share of Windows Phone presented a new opportunity for his software company.
"You can see by the amazing Windows Phone growth numbers Paul Muckleston has reported in the New Zealand market that Microsoft is dedicated to growing share so that developers will ensure their apps are also built for the Microsoft platform," he said.
Do our readers think the massive growth of smartphone sales in China and Windows Phone’s poor market share in US are hiding some very real success in other parts of the world? Let us know below.
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