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Paul Thurrott reports Microsoft (MSFT +0.4%) has budgeted $405M for FY14 Windows retail marketing, up from $241M from FY13, as it tries to stoke interest in touch-optimized Windows hardware in the face of fierce Android/iOS competition.
- Microsoft's promotional efforts are said to include providing $25 Windows Store gift cards with touch hardware purchases, and working with retailers to create "uncluttered and welcoming Windows centers."
- The software giant is also reportedly aiming for 16M holiday season Windows tablet sales. For reference, IDC estimates industry-wide tablet shipments totaled 52.5M in Q4 2012; the 2013 figure will probably be above 70M.
- Thurrott's report comes as Net Applications estimates Windows 8/8.1's share of the global PC base rose only 0.36% in October to 9.25%. 46.4% of PCs are believed to be running Windows 7 (up fractionally), which is widely preferred by enterprises, and 31.2% are still running Windows XP, which Microsoft (in an effort to get businesses to upgrade to Win. 7) will end support for next year.
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