Tag Archives: Microsoft

The Windows Phone Moment

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Microsoft is the 700-pound underdog. After more than three years of mobile mediocrity Redmond is hoping to relaunch itself into the lucrative smart phone business with an unveiling of Windows Phone 7 in New York and London on Monday. At stake? Nothing less than its future in mobile computing and CEO Steve Ballmer’s credibility.

A few quick thoughts on the questions tomorrow’s launch raises:

  • Is it too late? We are now on the fourth iteration of the iPhone and there are numerous excellent Android devices. And even with its market slipping there are still plenty of BlackBerry loyalists. At least half of mobile phone users still have not made the smartphone leap, so can they be lured to Windows Phone?
  • What happens if the iPhone really does land on Verizon in 2011? Does the Windows Phone’s limitation to AT&T and T-Mobile severely hamper its ability to be competitive?
  • Will the apps be good enough? According to Microsoft over 2,000 are in Windows Marketplace at launch. Today’s consumer has been trained to want good apps. Will they be that good at the launch of a new operating system?
  • Can Microsoft get anyone to switch? Android and iPhone owners have high levels of device satisfaction. Can Microsoft get some converts?

The fun begins early Monday morning.

An Extreme Makeover for Windows Phones

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Say goodbye to Windows Mobile (many will say good riddance). Microsoft tossed the whole thing in the Atlantic with this week’s introduction of Windows Phone Series 7.

Despite its unfortunate name this new mobile operating system may actually hold some promise for resurrecting Microsoft in the mobile space.  For a company often criticized for it’s failure to innovate, Microsoft looks like it really got it this time.

However, Redmond may have to fight the too-little-too-late feeling from many consumers. Apple, Google and Palm all have mature operating systems with a couple of years’ worth head start. Android releases a new device hourly and has won the hearts of most major phone manufacturers an many users with a deepening collection of apps. Palm has developed a core group of followers. And we don’t even need to go into Apple’s success. Continue reading →