Mobile Operating Systems: What To Expect In 2014

By Brian Albright, Field Technologies magazine

Android continues to grow its presence in the enterprise, while Microsoft lays out a new road map.

Expect to see an expansion of Android’s presence in the mobile market in 2014, even as Microsoft attempts to gain back market share. A panel of mobile device manufacturers spoke to Field Technologies about the future of enterprise mobile OSs, and all agreed that there will be an improved slate of choices in the coming year.

Android has continued to expand in the enterprise because of uncertainty around Microsoft’s strategy and its product road map for the past few years. “Growth in the software ecosystem and continued enterprise Android device introductions will continue to fuel the expansion in 2014,” says Joe White, VP of enterprise mobile computing, Motorola Solutions. “2014 also will see the introduction of Microsoft’s Windows Embedded 8 Handheld (WE8H). The challenge for Microsoft will be to retain legacy customers and win back those who have defected.”