Devices
About Windows Mobile 7 Pocket PC and Smartphone devices.
HTC a ‘major player’ for Windows Mobile 7
Dec 12th
Have you heard of HTC? God, why do I waste my time … of course you have! They own over 80% of the Smartphone marketshare. Until 2009, HTC produced mobile devices for Microsoft Windows Mobile 6. The mobile phone manufacturer recently “scaled back” their production for Windows Mobile phones and shifted this energy on Android devices.
Don’t freak out. Windows Mobile 7 will still be running on HTC phones. What we are seeing now is a balance of power/marketshare between one of the two largest technological powerhouse corporations in the WORLD: Google and Microsoft.
Since more than 80% of all Smartphone users have an HTC phone, the company decided to disversify by opening their doors to new mobile operating systems and creating devices for Google Android. And because HTC doesn’t know which operating system is more successful, they are going to use both of them.
HTC HD2 to get Windows Mobile 7 in 2010
Nov 25th
Rumor has it is that Windows Mobile 7 will debut on the HTC HD2 in November of 2010 (yes, a year from now… I’m sorry I can’t do anything about it…). Anyways, this is great news regarding the compatibility between Windows Mobile 7 and the HTC HD2. Seeing how HTC owns about 80% of the entire Smartphone marketshare, I’m happy to hear that they’re sticking with Microsoft’s platform. This also means that HTC will probably work very closely with Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 7 team, because they want their mobile operating system working on HTC’s hardware devices. Incompatibility issues between the OS and hardware is where most mobile problems are coming from these days. Well, regardless, HTC is in the Windows Mobile 7 ring FOR SURE.
Windows Mobile 7 vs. Android 2.0
Nov 2nd
As 2009 winds down, the excitement grows for the release date of Windows Mobile 7. Still unannounced, Microsoft will most likely release their new mobile OS in October, 2010. But is it too late? The iPhone dominated the mobile market in 2007. And in 2009 Google’s new Android mobile platform swept up whatever the iPhone didn’t grab, especially now that Android 2.0 just released. Anybody in between either had a Smartphone or Pocket PC that ran Windows Mobile 6.
Now it’s Microsoft’s turn again. And remember, Microsoft is usually never 3rd in the competition. Of course, you have to give it to Apple for jumping into the Smartphone arena so aggressively, they really did do a phenomenal job marketing their iPhone. And Google… well they didn’t need to do much to grab the attention of the public.
The battle continues, and we won’t know who really deserves the Smartphone marketshare until sometime in 2010. I always gauge the success of the iPhone, Android, and Windows Mobile between each other using Google Trends. This Google tools allows you to compare multiple keyword search terms based on popularity. Notice how Microsoft has a significant lead over Google Android, even right after Android 2.0 came out. This shows you the kind of lead Microsoft has, and why they aren’t necessarily worried about Apple or Google. As long as they’re in the top 3, they won’t sweat it. But Steve Ballmer will not settle for #3, or #2. Even #1 is a little shady but I guess that will have to do 
Google Android vs Windows Mobile, Google Trends
The Future of Smartphones
Oct 18th
We all need to be on the same page. What is a Smartphone exactly? A Smartphone is an electronic device that has mobile capabilities (i.e, you can call someone with it) and also has basic PC functions. Smartphones are not simply phones that run Windows Mobile. A Blackberry is a smartphone, for example.
Typically, if your phone has a touch screen, it is referred to as a Pocket PC rather than a Smartphone. Pocket PC’s have more PC functionality overall.
Smartphones are here to stay for the next decade or so. What will change though is who possesses the majority of Smartphone market share in this time. According to market share data from Canalys, the iPhone, Blackberry, and Google Android operating systems took a huge bite out of Windows Mobile’s warm apple pie in 2009. In fact, Android surpassed Windows Mobile’s growth rate in Q2 of 2009. Uh oh. This has scared the shit out of the Windows Mobile team, which explains why Steve Ballmer (Microsoft’s CEO) is revamping his Windows Mobile team personally. And since HTC manufactures 80% of Smartphones today, Microsoft doesn’t want them signing any long term contracts with Google Android or Palm.
What smartphone do you own?
I’m certainly an avid Windows Mobile fan, but Microsoft did lose in the Smartphone market share challenge of 2009. Definitely expect more from Microsoft with Windows Mobile 7. If they don’t pull through, they will be out for good.
Zune Phone and WM7?
Oct 17th
Courtesy of ZuneScene.com
Many Zune tipsters are pointing out that the two may be one in the same. Yes, it’s like the Zune had sex with WM7 and had a child. Of course these are still rumors. There hasn’t been anything official confirmed about this mutant hybrid, but it looks hot.
Look Who’s Talking