That seems rather shortsighted. Its not immediately important, but if Microsoft can establish and dominate in the Latin American market, then when that market begins to bring all of their citizens into the smartphone era (they're moving rapidly this way), Microsoft will be well positioned.

In fact, were they clever, MS would position themselves well in all of the non-1st-world markets (Indian sub-continent, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia). Its like playing Risk, they've got America, Europe, and Australia, but you can still hold on with the others.

I would have thought what is more important than market share in the developed world is good market share in the emerging economies like Latin America.

That would offer more scope for growth.

MS did "buy" the brand for this use; for two years.