Know what Microsoft is planning for India

Windows two-in-one tablet PCs will soon be made affordable, thanks to Chinese technology ecosystem that Microsoft is aiming at. To make these devices further more affordable, Microsoft is teaming up with Indian vendors such as Micromax, Xolo, Notion Ink, Sakri and iBall.

As per a news report by The Economic Times, the two-in-one tablet PCs can function as a tablet as well as PC has a potential for growth in Indian market.

According to research firm IDC, Microsoft's software presence in the tablet market could grow dramatically over the next five years to reach 14% with 38 million shipments worldwide.

"Earlier, they were in the price range of 40,000 and upwards. Now, they cost under 15,000 in India. Prices are expected to fall further in the next six months,” Vineet Durani, director of Windows Business Group at Microsoft India, told the ET.

Windows 2-in-1 devices will "bridge the gap" between PCs and tablets, considering the declining interest in 7-8 inch tablets. "Presently, we are seeing a good uptake of these 2-in-1 devices among college students, first time jobbers and users that need basic computing in the country," said Durani.

He said the launch of Windows 10 OS will also fuel demand for these devices as there will be a unified store and zero fragmentation of apps.

According to CyberMedia Research, tablet shipments into India fell 13.9% sequentially to 1.02 million in the quarter to March 2015. As per the research body, Windows-based tablets account for 3.4% of the market share in India, where Android-based tablets are the runaway leaders followed by iOS.