Blackberry and Windows could be considered as the "underdogs" in the smartphone market because they have been overshadowed by big players in the smartphone market like Apple and Google's Android.

Both companies are now slowly re-introducing new products to the market in order to keep up with the growing competition. The first one to unveil is Microsoft through launching Windows 8.

Microsoft's Windows 8

The release of Windows Phone 8 came about after Microsoft unveiled its Windows 8 tablet. Microsoft revealed that the Windows Phone 8 will utilize the same Windows 8 software in Windows PCs and their new Surface tablets which means a tighter and closer integration among the Windows devices that were launched. Joe Belfiore, the VP for Windows Phone explained the working process of the Windows Phone 8 stating that "The future of Windows Phone is about a shared Windows core."

The Windows Phone 8 will implement new features for the Windows Phone. Some of these improved features and specifications are:

  • Support dual-core and quad-core processor (with a possibility of 64-core processor)New screen resolution WVGA (800x480 pixels), WXVGA (1280x768) and "true 720p" (1280x720)
  • Expandable memory storage (16GB, 32GB, and 64GB through micro SD)
  • Improved Start Screen (with personalization option of colors and sizes)
  • VoIP through SkypeDevelopment in C, C++In-app purchases
  • NFC (Near-field Communication) technology "Wallet Hub" which would enable third-part developers to integrate digital coupons, credit cards, debit cards, and the like to execute transactions through supported smartphones.
  • Internet Explorer 10 with anti-phishing technology
  • Expanded HTML 5 support
  • Faster JavaScript execution
  • Additional mobile device management tools

Blackberry

As for Blackberry, the company has announced the delay of their Blackberry 10. Instead of releasing Blackberry 10 this year, the target release date for Blackberry 10 was pushed to next year. Despite this setback, Thorsten Heins, the CEO for Blackberry remarked that they are working "around the clock" in order to release Blackberry 10 by the first quarter of 2013. Heins also addressed the concerns of his investors stating "I want to assure you that I am not satisfied with the performance of the company over the past year. The management team and I have already instituted some major changes and there will be more as we work to turn around the company's performance." The company is also confident that they will regain their footing in the smartphone market based on their "80 million loyal customers".