Microsoft's Latest Smartphone Ploy Is Brilliant

Are you so greedy that you'd dump your iPhone for a $200 rebate? Microsoft hopes so, and is offering a rebate in the form of a store gift card to anyone willing to trade in a recent model. While an interesting strategy, Fool contributor Tim Beyers says not to expect much in the way of new Windows Phone smartphone sales.

Instead, Tim says in the video below, Microsoft is likely to appeal to iPhone 4S or 5 users who need an Xbox or PC upgrade. Most others have either already purchased or are in the process of upgrading their existing handsets to Apple's new 5c or 5s. The Mac maker has already sold more than 9 million of the new devices. Microsoft sold 17.9 million Windows Phone smartphones during all of last year.

Should investors simply ignore Windows Phone as a catalyst for Microsoft stock? Tim answers this question and more in the video. Please click to watch now and then leave a comment to let us know where you stand.

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The article Microsoft's Latest Smartphone Ploy Is Brilliant originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Tim Beyers is a member of the Motley Fool Rule Breakers stock-picking team and the Motley Fool Supernova Odyssey I mission. He owned shares of Apple at the time of publication. Check out Tim's web home and portfolio holdings or connect with him on Google+, Tumblr, or Twitter, where he goes by @milehighfool. You can also get his insights delivered directly to your RSS reader.The Motley Fool recommends Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple and Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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