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Is Windows Phone 7 A Flop?

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That is the question on every mobile geeks mind right now after a report came out from an analyst projecting horrific sales of Windows Phone 7.

Despite selling 1.5 million phones to carriers, consumers apparently are not flocking towards the device (making Microsoft’s wonder phone a flop).

But what are the sales over the same period to end-users? Minus the donated phones and provided to its employees. Let’s assume that figure my personal assessment, that there were no official investigations and persecutions of the staff Microsoft. So, Fasten. By my estimate retail sales totaled 674,000 units. (Mobile Review, note: translated from Russian to English)

Seeing that this news is from an analyst one should always take information like this with a grain of salt (as truthfully no one really knows how many phones were sold outside of Microsoft).

However Microsoft could help clear up the confusion if they would simply release their activation numbers to the public (a method which Apple and Google both use to measure OS popularity).

Hopefully the company will consider releasing some hard numbers in the future, as the last thing Microsoft needs is shadowy rumors dragging the image of Windows Phone 7 down (which could hurt their image amongst developers).

Originally posted on May 6, 2011 @ 1:01 pm

Should BlackBerry Embrace Windows Phone 7?

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Dear RIM, we have a problem. Despite your best efforts at revamping your OS, launching a decent smartphone (not to mention a mini-tablet), people around you are predicting doom and gloom for your company.

Worse, developers are balking at creating apps for Blackberry and your flirtation with Android isn’t building much confidence in your mobile OS.

With market share declining and Apple constantly refining iOS, it might be time for RIM to consider taking a cue from Nokia and embrace Windows Phone 7. [Read more…]

Originally posted on April 18, 2011 @ 12:58 pm

Will Nokia’s Gamble On Windows Phone 7 Pay Off?

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While it’s no surprise why Nokia chose Windows Phone 7 over Android, what is surprising is the fact that the company is convinced that Microsoft’s OS will help them make a comeback in face of increased competition from iOS and Android.

Despite the fact that Windows Phone 7’s market share is not that impressive, Nokia believes they have an ace up their sleeve that will set them apart from other manufacturers.

But Nokia’s relationship with Microsoft is different from the other Windows Phone licensees, who launched the first crop of handsets, HTC, LG, and Samsung. Nokia alone has the right to customize the Windows Phone UI. […]

“Even if we have the right to change it, it would be unwise to change it in ways that cause problems,” he says. Instead, Nokia plans to exploit the underlying OS to leverage both on-device features and a range of Nokia services: imaging, cameras, maps and navigation, to name just a few. (PC World)

Truthfully Nokia is going to need more than a redesign in order to attract the attention of the masses, let alone convince consumers to purchase their smartphone over iPhone, Blackberry, or the army of Android OEM’s sporting customized UI’s.

It might be wiser for Nokia to take a cue from carriers and strike up exclusive deals with app developers in order to help distinguish themselves from rivals big and small.

Unfortunately Nokia is not launching a Windows Phone 7 device this year, which means the company may find themselves in 2012 competing against yesteryear’s devices instead of the next generation of smartphones.

Originally posted on March 24, 2011 @ 2:07 pm

IDC: Apple’s iOS Will Lose To Windows Phone 7

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The International Data Corporation (or IDC for short) apparently is able to gaze into the future and declare the dominant mobile OS in 2015.

While IDC isn’t doubting that Android will dominate the globe for the foreseeable future, their predictions regarding iOS are a bit puzzling.

“Up until the launch of Windows Phone 7 last year, Microsoft has steadily lost market share while other operating systems have brought forth new and appealing experiences,” added Llamas. “The new alliance brings together Nokia’s hardware capabilities and Windows Phone’s differentiated platform. We expect the first devices to launch in 2012. By 2015, IDC expects Windows Phone to be number 2 operating system worldwide behind Android.” (IDC) [Read more…]

Originally posted on March 29, 2011 @ 1:26 pm

Dear Android, Microsoft: Please Mimic iPhone Updates

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Dear Google and Microsoft, we have a problem. Even though both of your mobile OS products are outperforming expectations, respectively, both platforms suffer one critical flaw that is holding you back.

For some strange reason you allow carriers to dictate when updates happen as well as give them the ability to block updates, preventing users from upgrading the device for simple things like critical security updates (at least with Android).

Honestly while this hasn’t slowed down the adoption of your devices, it gives people one more reason to choose iPhone over Android and Windows Phone 7. [Read more…]

Originally posted on March 15, 2011 @ 2:56 pm