This product truly surprised me.
Of all the things I expected Microsoft to do with the follow-on to Windows Mobile*, I never expected them to come to a total full stop, hit reset, and then completely re-engineer the new user interface and bring to market not just a new user experience, but also to bring to market a product the encompasses the ‘social’ and the ‘cloud’ seamlessly.
Well, from the new UI to the delectable new devices, Microsoft really nailed smartphones. Furthermore, with all the hardware OEMs and telco partners that are committed to Windows Phone 7, its survival is pretty much certain**.
Since Microsoft is committed to mobiles as part of its three-screen strategy, there is no doubt that this product will continue to be developed, and further improved.
- In January of 2009, at the incredible CntrStg, I had the misfortune to meet with some imbeciles who, surprisingly, were the marketing ‘brains’ behind Windows Mobile. These Microturds were arrogant, and tone deaf. The dropped the bombshell that the then-forthcoming next browser for Windows Mobile would not work on down-level devices, only new phones. At the howls of the audience at this revelation, these yum-yums said point blank that after all, end-users weren’t Microsoft’s customers; the mobile Telco's and handset OEMs were. They also threw around the fact that they were moving 20 million Windows Mobile licenses annually. I disliked those morons then and there, and let them have it in very directed questions. Well, my fears came true. At the time of its removal from the marketplace, Windows Mobile had dwindled to tens of hundreds of licenses sold annually, if even. Friggin’ arrogant bastards.
- Despite all the goodness of Windows Phone 7, why hasn’t it taken off? A subsequent post I am working on, will divulge my thinking. Hopefully, someone will let me know if I’m on point, or totally missing it.
