Of course we should expect Microsoft to push their new mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7. Here’s what I’m wondering now: WHO are they targeting? Are they going to fight Android’s powerful marketing mystique? Or are they going to make an attempt to appear as trendy as Apple (the keyword here being “appear”. Apple is not trendy). My prediction is that Microsoft is going to create a massive push-marketing campaign over the internet and television… and billboards too I’m sure.
Anyway, here is their first official video advertisement for Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system.
Windows Phone 7, previously aka "Windows Mobile 7"
Windows Phone 7 is an operating system created specifically for mobile phones. Since Windows Phone 7 runs on most “touch” Smartphones and Pocket PC’s it competes indirectly with the new Apple iPhone.
The Kin is the very first phone that uses Microsoft’s newest mobile OS, Windows Phone 7. Although the Kin uses a slightly stripped down version, it’s still considered a new mobile operating system. The Kin One and Two are available exclusively with the Verizon network, and only costing $49.99 and $99.99 for new customers. Very affordable, but at what cost?
There are downsides to the Kin. For one, the two new phones are manufactured by Sharp. Microsoft and Sharp have a lack of ‘technical synergy’ because the Kin was being planned out and developed even before Windows Phone 7 was announced. This leads me to believe that the Kin is more of a ‘gimmick’ product than anything else. In my opinion, Sharp is attempting to profit off of the ‘hype‘ surrounding Windows Phone 7.
Never purchase a new phone based on advertisements or what the media is saying. Do some research, especially if you’re looking to sign into a one or two year contract with Verizon. Personally, I’m going to pass on the Kin. Stick with HTC as your Windows Phone manufacturer.
“We’re always working on future versions and have nothing new to announce”. This is what Microsoft has to say about Windows Mobile 7 in an e-mailed statement received at the CES event that happened in early January. The 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas has put many Windows Mobile 7 enthusiasts in a grumpy mood. It’s still unclear whether Microsoft is calling it Windows Mobile 7 or the Windows Phone 7, but many manufacturers (NOT MICROSOFT) are saying that we won’t be seeing the new mobile operating system until 2011. Personally, I still believe the release date is still in the 2010 scope. I think there will be a Windows Phone that runs WM7, just like Google has done by releasing their first and only phone that uses Android, the Nexus One. In other words, Microsoft will most likely follow Google’s step by having a phone manufactured and tailored towards Windows Mobile 7.
“We spoke with representatives from Microsoft, Lenovo, Qualcomm, TI, Nokia, nVidia, HTC and many more and they all had just one message — Windows Mobile 7 is delayed until 2011,” a story posted to BSN’s site said. “We’re now certain that we won’t be seeing Windows Mobile 7 before World Mobile Congress in Barcelona in February 2011.” [bsn]
“If they were going to slip it [past 2010], they would have let us know [but] I don’t know why they’d miss because they know that every minute they miss, they’re losing partners,” Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. [in]
Most people have at least heard of Google stepping into the mobile phone market in 2010. Apparently Google and HTC were working closely together in 2009 to create a phone specifically designed for ‘Google Users’ (aka, almost everybody). Google’s superphone, now called the Nexus One, has been praised already for its performance and style. A few bloggers got a sneak peek of the Nexus One. In short, they said that “Google Phone = iPhone + a little extra screen and a scroll wheel. Great touch screen, and Android” [tc]. The Nexus One is purely a rebranded HTC phone that Google licensed. You might notice that the Nexus One looks awfully similar to the HTC Passion. No, you’re not tripping. Google probably chose the Passion to start from. Then, HTC and Google worked closely together in order to tailor the phone’s software and hardware to work seamlessly with almost any Google web application.
You might be thinking “Ok, Kyle. Now what does this have to do with Windows Mobile, let alone Windows Mobile 7?” Essentially, this proves that HTC is not siding with any particular mobile operating system. HTC manufactures Pocket PC’s and Smartphones… period. Too many people are speculating that Windows Mobile 7 is a lost cause, simply because they see HTC making phones for everyone but Microsoft these days. First off, that’s not true. HTC, if anything, is working closest to Microsoft. Hell, Windows Mobile still runs on 80% of all HTC phones. HTC and Microsoft are huge customers of each other. In fact, I wouldn’t doubt if Microsoft was HTC’s biggest client as far as sales volume goes.
Does this pose a threat to Windows Mobile 7? In reality, yes. However, it’s undeniably healthy for Microsoft AND Google to compete with each other in the mobile marketplace. I highly doubt that Microsoft’s and Google’s CEO are reclining back in their office chairs, counting their profits. No way. If anything, they’re getting a thrill out of the competition. Each company wants to be the best by having the best mobile phone. Hey, as consumers, this is the best thing possible for us. It drives prices down AND promotes better quality product. Right now the Nexus one is $530 directly from Google and $180 if you buy it from T-Mobile. You can use any unlocked GSM service carrier. Gotta love that.
